Foskett, William 1845 – 1913

FOSKETT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/23/2020 at 13:26:52

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 18, 1913

LEFT A LARGE FORTUNE
Wm. Foskett’s Remains Brought Here for Burial.

The body of William Foskett, who died about three weeks ago in Chicago, was brought here for burial last evening. William Foskett was in business in LeMars in pioneer days. He lived the life of a recluse for many years. He is believed to have kept a large fortune but many of his papers and documents relating to deals and property could not be found. Chicago parties are making investigation in the matter. A nephew has been located in Missouri and a daughter of Mr. Foskett’s has been found in Pipestone, Minn. Her name is Mrs. Etta Sears. Attorneys in Chicago have been in correspondence with G. L. Wernli and R. J. Koehler in regard to Mr. Foskett’s relatives and information regarding his life when a resident of this city.
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The Sioux City Journal, Saturday, April 19, 1913

RICH MAN IN A PAUPER GRAVE
TRUTH NOT LEARNED UNTIL THREE WEEKS LATER.
QUEER END OF FORMER IOWAN.
William Foskett Rated to be Worth $150,000 to $200,000, Lived in a Cheap Lodging House in Chicago—Body Reinterred at LeMars.

LeMars, Ia., April 18,--Special:
William Foskett, a former resident here, possessor of a fortune of $200,000 died three weeks ago in Chicago in the Cook county hospital, and was buried in a paupers grave.

Finding of important papers in the clothing of Foskett in a cheap Chicago lodging house led to his identity being learned, and his body was disinterred and brought here today and given a respectable burial.

Foskett was a recluse. He was well educated, being a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Northwestern University law school. He lived in LeMars in pioneer days, where he practiced law and conducted an undertaking establishment.

While a resident of LeMars, Foskett became miserly in his habits, which led to his estrangement from his family. He drifted from here to Chicago, where it has been learned he lived in cheap boarding houses, taking care that no one learned of his wealth.

Foskett also was an inventor and claimed to have invented and patented the first combine harvester and binder. Papers found on his person showed he had obtained a patent on the invention on March 14, 1876, while a resident of LeMars.

Foskett, while here, speculated in real estate, and it is thought that the bulk of his large fortune was obtained here. He owned many farms in Dakota and Kansas.

Papers in his pocket which mentioned the name of his daughter, Mrs. Etta Sears, of Madison, S.D., led to an investigation.
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[Above two news articles transcribed by L. Ziemann]

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer May 9, 1913, P-2, C-4

William Foskett, a former resident of LeMars, died in Chicago and was buried in a pauper’s grave. It was later learned that he possessed a fortune of $200,000, and his body has just been brought to LeMars for burial.
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Transcriber’s Note by Joy Moore: Find a Grave shows he was born March 1845 and died March 24, 1913. He is buried in Memorial Cemetery.