Will E. Foster 1860-1901

FOSTER, SOPER, BRUNER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/24/2010 at 16:32:38

The Carroll Herald
Carroll, Iowa
24 Apr 1901
Page 5

Death of W. E. Foster.

The news was telephoned to Carroll this morning that W. E. Foster of Glidden had passed away at 7:15. This announcement was not surprising to those who were informed of his condition for the last four days. Last Friday Mr. Foster left his store and went home. He immediately fell into unconsciousness and during all this time his family and physician have watched over him. But no glimpse of returning consciousness was perceptible from the beginning. At one time the anxious watchers were led to hope, but it was vain. He lay for days lingering between life and death, no medical skill being sufficient to wake the mind that slept and slept on till it went out of the world this beautiful April morning.

Will Foster was so well known to the people of this county that his condition has been a matter of concern to numerous friends. He had a wide acquaintance and his abundance of good fellowship and geniality made him friends wherever he was known. He took a lively interest in public matters and was an active factor in the politics of the county. He was frequently honored by the people of Glidden, having held many offices in his time. He was a familiar figure at county conventions and has been a delegate to state and district a number of times. He was a member of the K. P. lodge at Glidden, the I. O. O. F., the A. F. & A. M. and other civic orders.

The deceased was born in Clark county, Ohio, September 25, 1860, and at the age of 12 entered the store of his uncle and began his career as a druggist. After a short residence in New Jersey he came to Iowa, and in 1878 located in Glidden. In 1881 he began business for himself and so continued till his fatal illness. He built up a fine business and had one of the nicest stores of the kind in the county.

He leaves a wife and two children who are bowed down with a heavy load of affliction. The time of the funeral has not been announced. His brother in Washington has been wired for and it is not likely that he can be present till Saturday. However, we are not warranted in making any announcement in this connection.

Will Foster was a wholesouled man, generous hearted and so full of likable parts that we can not think of his premature death without a sense of personal loss. Peace to his ashes.

The Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Iowa
24 Apr 1901
Page 5

Death of W. E. Foster.

One of the Leading Business Men of Glidden Died Yesterday Morning.

The many friends of W. E. Foster in this city were surprised and shocked to hear that he had passed from this life Tuesday morning shortly after seven o'clock. Mr. Foster had been having the grip for some time preceding last Friday and had been taking bromide to assist in toning his system after the attacks of the disease. Friday morning he went to the store as usual and not feeling well it is thought he took too large a dose of the drug. His wife called him by telephone about 10 o'clock and receiving no response after several calls went to the store and found him there feeling so badly that she took him home. Upon arriving there he became unconscious and from this condition he never rallied. In spite of all that love and medical skill could do he died yesterday morning.

W. E. Foster was born in Clark county, Ohio, September 25, 1860, and when only a boy started to learn the drug business, which he followed until his death. In 1878 he located at Glidden and three years later began business on his own hook. Though but a boy he soon gained the confidence and esteem of the people of that vicinity and enjoyed a large and profitable trade. He was married in 1883 to Miss Nellie Soper and the devoted wife and two children, Frank, aged 15, and Mary, aged 6, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband and father. Mr. Foster was one of those whole-souled, kindly gentlemen who made friends everywhere. He was active in all things that promoted the good of his town and his friends, belonging to several local fraternal orders and was also a member of Copestone chapter, R. A. M., of this city. His hand and heart were always open to assist any cause that promised good to others and his death will be mourned by many outside his circle of immediate relatives.

Mr. Foster was a nephew of C. W. and J. E. Bruner of this city and has two brothers living, Frank, who resides at Scranton, and Ed, now living at Spokane, Wash. The funeral will be held at the residence at Glidden tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Iowa
29 Apr 1901
Page 3

Will Foster's Funeral.

The funeral of W. E. Foster was held Friday afternoon at his late residence in Glidden. From Carroll, Scranton, and from the country for miles around friends gathered to pay tribute to the memory of one whose death left a gap such as few could fill. All the business houses of Glidden and the public schools were closed and hundreds gathered about the house and yard unable to gain admission to the house which was crowded to its utmost capacity. The young, the old, in every walk of life, all were deeply affected at the death of one of whom (several words illegible). Within the stricken home solemn, quiet services were conducted by Rev. Boreman, assisted by Revs. Brown and Ward, all three speaking in terms of highest praise of the noble characteristics of the deceased. The music by the quartette was touching and beautiful and at the conclusion of the service a large concourse followed the remains to their last resting place.