John C. Foster (1920)

FOSTER, KALE, LAKE, ILER

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 10/29/2007 at 21:38:18

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, July 7, 1920

Death of JOHN C. FOSTER
Early Pioneer Passes Away at Age of 85

John C. Foster, one of the early pioneers of Madison county, died at his home in Winterset on last Friday at the age of 85 years.

Mr. Foster came to Monroe township from Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in the year 1855, when he was a young man 20 years of age. For several years, himself and brother engaged in the nursery business, and in addition to farming Mr. Foster found time to work at his trade, that of carpenter and cabinet maker.

Mr. Foster moved from the farm to Winterset in 1902. In many ways, he was prominently identified with the early history of this county. His sister, Sarah, became the wife of James Iler, who established the Iowa Pilot, afterwards named The Madisonian, in 1856. Mr. Foster was the first solicitor for the paper. His younger brother, Frank, was the first apprentice, while Mary Iler was the first compositor.

Mr. Foster represented that class of worthy citizenship who came from Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, Ohio, to this county in the 50s. They were sober minded, through public spirited citizens, who took an active part in the affairs of their community and passing on, leave an influence on the right side of human endeavor.

Mr. Foster is survived by his wife, the former Sarah Harriett Lake, and seven children.

Funeral services were held today from the home and burial made in the Winterset cemetery.

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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