Cumberland County, Maine - Perley B. and Sumner Foster
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Biography
Perley B. and Sumner Foster
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 620


Foster Brothers, who conduct a large saw-mill, grist-mill, and planing mill in
Bridgton, are important factors in the industrial life of the town. They were
born in Bridgton, on the farm where they now reside, the elder brother, Sumner,
April 11, 1838; the younger, Perley B., August 1, 1841. They are the sons of
Joseph R. and Annis C. (Small) Foster. Joseph R. Foster, a native of Bridgton,
who was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, purchased the farm in Bridgton now
owned by his sons in 1837. He also founded the Foster mills, starting in a
small way with one mill. His venture proving successful, he gradually enlarged
his facilities until at the time of his decease the Foster mills were one of the
most important industrial features of the locality. He died September 17, 1888.
In politics he was a Democrat. In 1835 he was united in marriage with Annis C.
Small, a native of Limington, York County. They had six children; namely,
Sumner, Angelina, Perley B., Dexter L., Adelaide, and Victoria. Mrs. Foster died
January 22, 1889, aged seventy-three years, four months.

Sumner and Perley B. Foster were reared on the farm, receiving their education
in the schools of Bridgton. In boyhood they spent many hours in the mills, at
first drawn thither by the irresistible fascination which the whir of machinery
always has for a child. As they grew older they gradually took hold of the work,
so that at the time of their father's death they were qualified to take full
charge. Since that time they have carried on a prosperous business, giving
constant employment to a number of men. Now the annual output of the saw-mill is
two hundred thousand feet of lumber, while the grist-mill and planing-mill are
in constant operation. They also manufacture large quantities of shingles. The
farm, which is well cultivated and kept in good condition, is another source of
profit.

Sumner Foster was married in 1893 to Mrs. Elmira Bennett, daughter of Albert and
Eunice (Carpenter) Berry. In politics the brothers favor Democratic principles.
In religious belief they are Congregationalists. They are widely known and
respected, and as business men occupy a leading position in the locality