Obituaries Australia

John Foster, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 September 1926

Captain John D. Foster, a leading Tasmanian pastoralist, and one of the biggest landowners in the State, died suddenly at one of his properties, Fairfield, Epping, on 25th August. He had not been in good health for some time.

The late Captain Foster was 66 years of age, and was born in Hobart. He was educated in England at St. Andrew's College, Bradford, and passed through other colleges to Cambridge University. He returned to Tasmania in 1889, and followed pastoral pursuits in the north-west, where his father, the late Mr. John Foster, had a large property. In 1896 Captain Foster transferred to the Midlands, and rented Rosedale, near Campbell Town. Later he acquired Windfall and Fairfield at Epping, and for many years conducted these three properties.

He was one of the leading Merino breeders of Tasmania, and had a very fine stud and flocks. For thirty years he was a member of the Midland Agricultural Association and a prominent exhibitor in the Merino section, gaining a long list of successes at this and other shows.

He was a generous supporter of all public movements in the Campbell Town district, and in 1924 built and furnished a handsome little church at Epping and presented it to the Anglicans of the district. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Midland Hunt Club, and was master for the past four years.

A widow, who was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Charles H. Leake, one of the pioneers of the Midlands, and two sons (Messrs. J. R and Lister Foster) and two daughters are left.