Ephraim Hubbard FOSTER, Congress, TN (1794-1854)

FOSTER, Ephraim Hubbard, a Senator from Tennessee; born near Bardstown, Nelson County, Ky., September 17, 1794; moved to Tennessee with his parents, who settled near Nashville, Davidson County, in 1797; completed preparatory studies and graduated from Cumberland College (later the University of Nashville) in 1813; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1820 and commenced practice in Nashville, Tenn.; served in the Creek War and was private secretary to Gen. Andrew Jackson 1813-1815; member, State house of representatives 1829-1831, 1835-1837, and served as speaker during that time; appointed as a Whig to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Felix Grundy, and served from September 17, 1838, to March 3, 1839; was reelected for the term beginning March 4, 1839, but resigned, not wishing to obey instructions given him by the State legislature; chairman, Committee on Claims (Twenty-eighth Congress); elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his successor, Felix Grundy, and served from October 17, 1843, to March 3, 1845; unsuccessful Whig candidate for Governor in 1845; resumed the practice of law; died in Nashville, Tenn., September 6, 1854; interment in the City Cemetery.

Bibliography

Dictionary of American Biography; Moore, Powell. “James K. Polk and the ‘Immortal Thirteen’.” East Tennessee Historical Society’s Publications 11 (1939) 20-33.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present