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Home My WebLink About1852-07-01 - Pioneers Joseph Foster + Martha Jane Foster (nee Steele)www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » APRIL 2013 )' 13 Joseph Foster set the stage for all to come For nearly half a century in the latter 1800s, early Duwamish Valley pioneer Joseph Foster left a legacy of public service not only locally but for Washing- ton Territory. His home- stead became the center of a community now en- compassed by Tukwila. He worked tirelessly through- out his lifetime on matters that helped shape the fu- ture of Washington. In his day he was well known and respected throughout the Northwest. Joseph Foster was born near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 10, 1828. When Foster was still a young child, the family moved to Geauga County, Ohio. When he was 14, Joseph apprenticed to be- come a tailor and in due time became a journey- man working as a tailor for about eight years. He left tailoring to work for a time on steamboats in the Great Lakes. While in Wisconsin, Joseph, 24, and his younger brother Stephen decided to "go west" first to the gold fields and then spent some time in southern Oregon working as farmhands. Ready for adventure, the Foster brothers trav- eled west on the overland Joseph Foster Tukwila Historical Society trail arriving in Vancou- ver on July 1, 1852. After a short time working some of the placer mines for gold, they came north to Puget Sound and arrived on El- liott Bay in April 1853. Jo- seph staked a claim on the shores of the Duwamish River along present day In- terurban Avenue South. By the mid 1880's he had accu- mulated 440 acres of land with most of the farm land rented out. In 1858, at age 31, Jo- seph Foster was elected the representative from King County to the Washing- ton Territorial Legislature which marked the begin- ning of his outstanding public service that extend- ed to 1886. He was elected to the Legislature for 11 terms, serving in both the upper and lower houses for the total of 22 years. Among his successful bills are the establishment of a military road from Seattle to Fort Colville via Sno- qualmie Pass, the location of a territorial university at Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m., Highline Historical Society presents a Military Road Sesquicentennial Program atTyee High School, by Michael Vouri, National Parks Service at San Juan Island and author on Pickett and the Pig War. Saturday, June8, 1 p.m.,Tukwila Historical Society and Tukwila Arts Commission presents a Military Road Sesquicentennial Program presentation, "Territorial Voices" A Civil War Reader's Theater by Lorraine McConaghy, author and historian. Program made possible by Humanities Washington. Free admission. Aug. 17 and 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tukwila Community Garage Sale, Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S. Seattle rather than Olympia which became the Univer- sity of Washington, and the Foster sponsored Washing- ton Territory Woman Suf- frage bill in 1883. On June 11, 1865, Jo- seph Foster married Mar- tha Jane Steele, Duwamish Valley pioneer, who drove one of her family's wagons over the Oregon Trail from Missouri in 1864. Martha was described as a comely, dark-haired, serious -eyed woman with great mental and physical abilities and a strong resolute charac- ter. She shared intellectual and political interests with her husband Joseph. Mar- tha accompanied Foster to Olympia when the Territo- rial Legislature was in ses- sion. The couple's children Charles, Rosetta and Em- ily all died in a single week during a diphtheria epi- demic in 1877. Two more children were born Joseph Thomas in 1879 and Hil- lory Adams in 1880. The Fosters were pillars in the local community where their greatest long- term tangible influence can be seen in education. Jo- seph energetically promot- ed education and learning. In 1892, he helped estab- lished the Foster School District (present-day Tuk- wila School District) and helped build the first school on land that he donated. An intangible but impor- tant legacy left by Joseph Foster was a model of pub- lic service and community spirit which has been an inspiration to many civic and community leaders. In a tribute to Joseph Fos- ter written 50 years after his death, C.T. Conover wrote, "Foster was a typi- cal pioneer, who knew his way around." Foster was all that and more. He was a vi- sionary who took time and energy away from his per- sonal interests and profit and gave them freely and generously to benefit the common good. The fruit of his work done in the 19th century will continue on into 21st century and be- yond. Tukwila's Story is writ- ten by Louise Jones -Brown. She is acting director of the Tukwila Heritage and Cul- tural Center and treasurer for the Tukwila Histori- cal Society. For hours and arrangements for a tour, please call 206/244-HIST or email: tukwilaheritagectr@ tukwilahistory.org. Martha Jane Foster. Tukwila Historical Society Marriage certificate dated June 14, 1868 Credit: WA State Archives & King County 444, '„,16M" „te. Pe. 4,46..44.4***6444g..P4ttiiNg.,,, The Joseph Foster Tree, which is on the north end of Foster Golf Links, was planted in 1873. COURTESY PHOTO Joseph Foster Tree firmly rooted in city's history I Tukwila's Story If old growth trees could reveal the past, what a story their growth rings may tell. • Wednesday, February 15, 2017 12:00pm tulavilareporter By Pat Brodin Tukwila Historical Society If old growth trees could reveal the past, what a story their growth rings may tell. One such tree with a rich legacy is the Joseph Foster Tree standing proudly at the north end of Foster Golf Links along Interurban Avenue South. This huge maple tree has stood in this location since it was planted in 1873. There is a Washington state historical plaque attached to it helping to tell its story. The plaque reads: "In Memoriam Joseph Foster came to the State of Washington from Sheboygan, Wis., arriving Vancouver, Wash. By ox team, July 1, 1852, arriving Alki Point and Seattle by boat, April 4, 1853, locating here May 1, 1853. Gov. Scout 8.7' Packer in Indian War of 1855 8.r 56. Member of Territorial Legislature eleven sessions. June 11, 1865 married Miss Martha J. Steele. Planted this tree July 4, 1873. Lived here until his death Jan. 16, igii." When Foster settled along the Duwamish River, the surrounding area was an unbroken wilderness. Foster was an exceptional man who helped establish the community now encompassed by Tukwila. He established the early schools that became an integral part of what the Tukwila School District is today. He was a respected leader serving in the Washington Territorial Legislature for three decades. The old maple tree serves as a remnant of the Foster homestead and to the legacy of Joseph Foster. So if you have the chance to glance over or visit the old majestic maple tree, you will see something actually planted by notable pioneer Joseph Foster, whose life helped shape the community and the region. Pat Brodin is treasurer and past president of the Tukwila Historical Society, which operates the Tukwila Heritage and Cultural Center, 14475 59th Ave. S., Tukwila. The center's phone number is 206 -244-4478 and the email is tukwilahistsociety@tukwilahistory.org. V****4041AX*0,1410,-***4**Wk1,5' \ • A \TVANAVitikki • ilhithiMait*""t'4'A :,,,,,•044$004th , „'•q '""' „ nr A plaque on the Joseph Foster Tree tells the sto lAWAP, 1‘8, of Joseph Foster. COURTESY PHOTO