The Man With the Flag Pants

The death certificate of my 1st cousin 4x's removed, Joseph H. Foster (1819-1890), a grandson of my 4th great grandmother Mary Gwinnup and her second husband Antonio Joseph Oneto (? - ?).  Although he married twice he had no known children.  "Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6GY8-CPR?cc=1320976&wc=9FTM-829%3A1073245201 : 16 May 2014), 004009726 > image 1948 of 1961; Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

I think of this cousin every year around the 4th of July because he was apparently known for his flag pants, according to his second obituary:

Philadelphia Inquirer (GenealogyBank)
20 Nov 1890
page 6
FOSTER.--On the 17th inst., Joseph H. Foster, in the 71st year of his age.
The relatives and friends of the family, and the Masonic bodies of which he was a member, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services, on Thursday morning, at 11 o'clock precisely, at his late residence, No. 1317 Arch street.  Interment private. 

Philadelphia Inquirer (GenealogyBank)
21 Nov 1890
page 5
Joseph H. Foster Dead.
The most noted "awning man" this city ever boasted, Joseph H. Foster, was buried from his home, 1317 Arch street, yesterday.  For more than forty years he made awnings---money out of his business, too.  He was known as the man with the flag pants, and always wore a big diamond in his necktie.  He was prominent in Masonic and Knights Templar circles.

I do wish I had a picture of him!

More detail about his work was given in Pennsylvania Historical Review, Gazetteer, Post-office, Express and Telegraph Guide : City of Philadelphia : Leading Merchants and Manufacturers (1886), page 211:

Joseph H. Foster, Awning Maker, etc., No. 448 North Third Street.--Mr. Foster began business in 1844. He occupies commodious premises and given employment to a large force of hands, manufacturing a line of goods unsurpassed for quality, durability and general excellence.  He is prepared to furnish sails for boats, American and business flags of all nations, awnings, tents, wagon and canal boat-covers, etc., and he also supplies sacking bottoms. hammocks, bags, etc., at short notice.  A specialty is made of splicing fall and wheel rope and repairing.  Mr. Foster is a thoroughly practical man, familiar with every detail of his business, and his aim has always been not only to secure trade, but to retain it by selling a first-class article at a reason-able figure.  He comes from an old Philadelphia family, and is well and favorably known both as a citizen and merchant.

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