Joshua Foster Ober (1839-1896), usually known as J. Foster Ober, was an American architect. American Institute of Architects biography page His work included the design of the Odd Fellows' Hall in Beverly, Massachusetts, and an 1881 expansion to the Hotel Vendome in Boston. He died on August 12, 1896.Catalogue of Delta Upsilon, 1917 By Delta Upsilon fraternity
Life and career Joshua Foster Ober was born September 1, 1839, in Beverly, Massachusetts.Historical Catalogue of Brown University, 1764-1914 (Providence: Brown University, 1914) His mother was Hephzibah P. Ober and his father Samuel Ober. He attended Brown University in Providence, graduating in 1864. Moving to Boston, he entered the firm of Snell & Gregerson as a student.Boston Directories, 1865-1896. He remained there until 1867, when he traveled in Europe."Americans in Paris," Boston Daily Advertiser, June 5, 1868, 4. Upon his return to Boston, he was employed by the firm of Bryant & Rogers, and established his own practice in 1872. 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."Architect Ober," Boston Daily Advertiser, August 13, 1896, 8.
Personal life He was married to Lucie E. Doten in 1880.
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) Kindergarten drawing for D. N. Skillings, Esq. at Rangely Place, Winchester, Massachusetts by J. F. Ober & G. D. Rand American Architects and Builder December 31, 1877 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.MASSACHUSETTS - Essex County National Register of Historic Places Architectural rendering of house for S. J. Nowell at Winchester, Massachusetts, J. F. Ober and G. D. Rand Bennett School buildingThe Massachusetts Teacher: A Journal of School and Home Education, Volume 26 Congregational Church, West Newton: remodel with new chapel and parlorsChurch Building Quarterly, Volumes 6-9 page 95
References
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