Henry A. Foster

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Henry Allen Foster (May 7, 1800–May 11, 1889) was a Representative and a United States Senator from New York from 1844-1845.

Foster was born in Hartford, Connecticut and moved to Cazenovia, New York when he was a boy. He attended the common schools and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and commenced practice in Oneida County, New York.

In Oneida County, Foster served as Surrogate (1827-1831 and 1835-1839), and as supervisor of the town of Rome, New York (1829-1830, 1833-1834). He was also a member of the State senate (1831-1834);

He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-fifth Congress, serving in that position from March 4, 1837 until March 3, 1839. Afterwards, he resumed the practice of law in Rome. He was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Silas Wright Jr., and served from November 30, 1844, to January 27, 1845, when a successor was elected and qualified.

After serving in the Senate, Foster became a judge of the New York supreme court for the fifth district 1864-1872. He was later the President of the board of trustees of Hamilton College and the vice president of the American Colonization Society.

Foster died in Rome, New York and is interred in Rome Cemetery.

Preceded by Silas Wright Jr.

United States Senator (Class 3) from New York 1844–1845 Served alongside: Daniel S. Dickinson

Succeeded by John A. Dix

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.