Joshua Foster Ober Explained

Joshua Foster Ober (1839-1896), usually known as J. Foster Ober, was an American architect.^[1] His work included the design of the Odd Fellows' Hall in Beverly, Massachusetts, and an 1881 expansion to the Hotel Vendome in Boston.^[2] He died on August 12, 1896.^[3]

Life and career

Joshua Foster Ober was born September 1, 1839, in Beverly, Massachusetts.^[4] His mother was Hephzibah P. Ober and his father Samuel Ober. He attended Brown University in Providence, graduating in 1864.^[4] Moving to Boston, he entered the firm of Snell & Gregerson as a student.^[5] He remained there until 1867, when he traveled in Europe.^[6] Upon his return to Boston, he was employed by the firm of Bryant & Rogers, and established his own practice in 1872.^[5] Outside of a partnership with George D. Rand from 1877 to 1881, Ober practiced alone until his death, which occurred August 12, 1896, at his home in West Newton.^[7]

Personal life

He was married to Lucie E. Doten in 1880.^[7]

Works

• Parish of the Messiah church building Foster Ober was commissioned to draw up plans of a church building located to the North and West of the Chapel (built in 1881)^[8]
• Kindergarten drawing for D. N. Skillings, Esq. at Rangely Place, Winchester, Massachusetts by J. F. Ober & G. D. Rand ^[9]
• Odd Fellows' Hall (Beverly, Massachusetts) at 188-194 Cabot St. in Beverly, Massachusetts, a gothic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. First constructed about 1850 with involved architects including J. Foster Ober, Williams Brothers, and others.^{[10] [11]}
• Architectural rendering of house for S. J. Nowell at Winchester, Massachusetts, J. F. Ober and G. D. Rand
• Bennett School building^[12]
• Congregational Church, West Newton: remodel with new chapel and parlors^[13]

Further reading

• Entry in Henry F. Withey, A.I.A., and Elsie Rathburn Withey, Biographical Dictionary of American Architects Los Angeles, New Age Publishing Company, 1956. Facsimile edition, Hennessey & Ingalls, Inc., 1970

Notes and References

1. https://archive.today/20131114035229/http://communities.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/ahd3000732.aspx J. Foster Ober
2. Web site: Lauren Soth Architecture Collection :: Lauren Soth Architecture Collection . contentdm.carleton.edu . 2 February 2022 . https://archive.today/20131114035155/https://contentdm.carleton.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/LSAR/id/3981/rec/7 . 14 November 2013 . dead.
3. https://books.google.com/books?id=4_tMAAAAMAAJ&dq=Joshua+Oberarchitect&pg=PA29 Catalogue of Delta Upsilon
4. Historical Catalogue of Brown University, 1764-1914 (Providence: Brown University, 1914)
5. Boston Directories, 1865-1896.
6. "Americans in Paris," Boston Daily Advertiser, June 5, 1868, 4.
7. "Architect Ober," Boston Daily Advertiser, August 13, 1896, 8.
8. Web site: PTM Media Inc .
9. American Architects and Builder December 31, 1877
10. Web site: Odd Fellows' Hall - Beverly, MA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on . Waymarking.com . 2007-04-19 . 2022-05-04.
11. http://www.historicdistricts.com/ma/Essex/state7.html MASSACHUSETTS - Essex County
12. https://books.google.com/books?id=459LAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22J.+F.+Ober%22&pg=PA462 The Massachusetts Teacher: A Journal of School and Home Education, Volume 26
13. https://books.google.com/books?id=TfkQAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22J.+F.+Ober%22&pg=RA1-PA95 Church Building Quarterly, Volumes 6-9