Edward Foster

FOSTER

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 12/27/2009 at 20:59:08

J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910

Edward Foster

In the years of his residence in Jackson county, Edward Foster was known as a worthy citizen, and his name is now inscribed on the roll of Van Buren township's honored dead. Although born across the water he was always loyal to the country of his adoption for he found in this land the opportunities he sought, and, profiting by them, attained a large measure of success, which entitled him to be numbered among the substantial men of his locality.
Mr. Foster was born in Yorkshire, England, about nine miles from the city of Sheffield, November 1, 1819, the year of his birth being the same as that of Queen Victoria. He grew to manhood on the British isle and there learned the butcher's trade, which he followed until he embarked upon his journey to America, for like many another he had heard the alluring stories of golden opportunities to be grasped in the new world and desired to prove their truth to his satisfaction. Accordingly he borrowed a sum of money and on the 1st of April, 1842, took passage on a ship at Liverpool. He landed in New York, May l0th, and shortly after found employment as a farm hand for nine dollars a month. He worked in that way for twenty months, after which he returned to England, remaining there six years.
In 1850 Mr. Foster came to the United States a second time and after landing obtained employment at thirteen dollars a month driving cattle from Clark county, Ohio, to Boston, Massachusetts. In 1852 he married and two years later came to Jackson county, Iowa, purchasing a farm of two hundred acres in Van Buren township. Thereon he lived the remainder of his life, following general farming with an energy and thoroughness that brought him a large measure of success. As he was able he invested in the best of all securities—rich arable land—owning at one time fourteen hundred acres, the extent of this property proving what may be accomplished by a man who has laudable ambition and is determined to persevere until he reaches the goal he has set for himself. Another evidence that he had realized the hopes that actuated him to come to this country and had gained a gratifying measure of prosperity is the fact that he made seven trips across the Atlantic. He had no desire, however, to take up his residence in the land of his birth, for he was attached to this country by many strong ties, of business, of friends and of family.
In December, 1852, Mr. Foster wedded Miss Mary A. Dolphin and they had two children: Mary, who is the wife of Francis Holland and is now living in Colorado; and George. Mrs. Mary Foster died, and on the 10th of June, 1878, Mr. Foster married a second time, his wife having been Mrs. Emily Martin, a native of Tioga county, New York, and a daughter of Samuel and Betsey Osborn. There were three children born of this union, namely: Cora, who is the wife of Charles Behrens, of Jackson county; and James and Edward, who are living with their mother and operate the home farm. They enjoyed the advantages of a college education and are young men of ability, who conduct their farming and stock interests with good judgment and excellent management. They own the three hundred and twenty acres of land on which they live and aim to make it one of the most productive farms in this township. James belongs to the Brotherhood of Yoemen.
When he was admitted to citizenship in this republic Mr. Foster determined to give his political allegiance to the democratic party and thereafter always supported its candidates and measures. He was ever interested in public affairs and actively identified with those measures that look toward healthy progress and advancement. His was a life of continuous activity and his record was at all times honorable, so that when on the 2d of July, 1906, he responded to the call of death, he left his family not only a handsome competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.