George K. Foster

FOSTER, WARD

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 00:52:29

George K. Foster, who for many years was successfully engaged in the operation of a good farm in Monroe township, was born in Ohio on the 4th of April, 1831. Detailed mention of his parents will be found in the sketch of John C. Foster, which appears elsewhere in this work. When seventeen years of age, George K. Foster went to Massillon, Ohio, and there learned the carpenter's and cabinetmaker's trades. In 1852 he went to California by the water route and was for fourteen years employed at his trade in the Golden state. His parents were getting advanced in years and needed someone to care for them and to carry on the work of the farm in Madison county, Iowa, upon which they had settled in 1855. He therefore returned east and took up his residence with them and during their remaining years served them as a dutiful son and operated the farm. After they passed away the land came into his possession and he continued to reside thereon until he too was called to his reward on the 20th of January, 1886. He did general farming and stock-raising but also found time to work at his trade and was for ten years a foreman in the employ of the county, superintending the construction of bridges.

In 1870 Mr. Foster married Miss S. C. Ward, who was born in Ohio on the 16th of August, 1844, a daughter of J. S. and M. M. Ward, natives of Ohio, who in 1860 located in Story county, Iowa. In 1867 they settled in Scott township, Madison county, and here the father died on the 16th of March, 1888, when over seventy years of age, his birth having occurred on the 27th of December, 1817. The mother, who was born on the 9th of August, 1819, is still living in Kansas at the remarkable age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Foster was given a common and high-school education, attending school at Story City and Nevada, Iowa, and for eight years taught school. After her family removed to Madison county she returned to Story county and taught school for three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster were born three children: Oscar and Iver W., both of whom died in young manhood, the former in Winterset and the latter upon the farm; and Melvin, who is operating the homestead in Monroe township. He married Miss Edna Orr, extended mention of whose parents is made elsewhere in this work. She is the mother of a son, George, who is named after both his grandfathers.

Mr. Foster supported the republican party in his political views but was content that others should hold public office, believing that the care of his private interests demanded his entire time. He made many friends in this county and his demise was sincerely regretted. His widow has resided in Winterset for the last eight years, but has recently purchased the John C. Foster farm, to which she intends to move in the spring of 1915. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and her character is one which inspires both respect and warm personal regard.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”