Barbara Ann Foster 1838-1906

FOSTER, MATTHEWS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/23/2008 at 14:46:29

Grinnell Stewart Library online obituaries

BARBARA ANN FOSTER
Barbara Ann Matthews was born Jan. 8 in Northumberland county, Penn. When about ten years of age she with her parents came west and settled in Iowa, in Scott county near Davenport.

In the fall of 1859 she was united in marriage to Thomas Foster. To this union were born eleven children, ten of whom--five sons and five daughters--survive. One child died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Foster came to Poweshiek county some twenty years ago last October and took up their residence at this place where they have since resided.

Since early childhood Mrs. Foster has been imbued with the spirit of the Christian religion. Her first impressions she received from her mother who was an exemplary Christian woman. During her entire life she was in close touch with the church. In her younger years she was active in the work of the Sunday school. Under the ministry of the Rev. Richard Coates at Lynn Grove in Scott county, she definitely indentifed herself with the Methodist Episcopal church more than a third of a century ago, during which she has been faithful, true and devoted as her time and strength allowed.

Her faith in Christ has been her strong support in all the years in which she has known Him. It strengthened with the years and ripened with the experiences of life. She was one of those gentle, gracious souls who, as they draw near the evening of life, show the sunrise of the eternal world upon their face. There was something of saintliness in her manner and appearance which told of the spiritual peace within.

She has been a good wife, faithful in all the relations she sustained to home and husband. None can know so well as he how rich and full, how true and helpful her life has been.

A kind, wise, affectionate mother, desiring her children's peace and happiness and welfare more than her own comfort. Counting no sacrifice too much, if, thereby, some benefit accrued to them. Of her it can be said, "She hath done what she could."

The funeral was from the home in Chester and was conducted by the Rev. J.M.. McClelland. Interment was in Chester township.