Lewis C. Fosnot

FOSNOT, FASNACHT, HUNTER

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/4/2001 at 07:20:23

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890 County
LEWIS C. FOSNOT
Lewis C. Fosnot ranks among the leading and successful businessmen of Keosauqua, his business being that of photography. This gentleman who is so widely known throughout Van Buren County, claims the honor of which few of his years can boast, that of being a native of the city where he still makes his home. His parents Samuel and Catherine Fasnacht, are numbered among the early settlers of the community. They have retained the old country orthography but their son has adopted the English mode of spelling the name.
In the common school of his native town, Lewis Fosnot acquired a liberal English education and was fitted for his life work. Looking about him for some trade, or profession, which would prove a pleasant, as well as a profitable business, he chose that of photography and having become familiar with the art in all its details he embarked in business for himself in 1872, continuing in the same line for eighteen consecutive years. As in his lessons in the schoolroom, he makes a thorough study of his business, familiarizing himself with the latest methods and improvement and his work will compare favorable with that of many an artist in the larger cities. His studio is a popular one, and the liberal patronage, which he receives, indicates that he had found favor with the public.
In 1870, in Keosauqua, Mr. Fosnot led to the marriage alter Miss Elizabeth Hunter, daughter of Robert Hunter. The lady was born in West Virginia in 1848, and in the community where she now makes her home is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Fosnot has been blessed with a family of five children, one son and four daughters, namely: Carrie, Minnie, Katie, Samuel and Mary. Having passed his entire life in Keosauqua, Mr. Fosnot has been a witness of the many great changes, which have taken place in Van Buren County during the past forty years. His memory goes back to the days when not a railroad crossed its borders, when much of the land was still in its primitive condition, and when the little log schoolhouse and primitive cabin marked the site of many a good institution of learning or palatial home of today. He has seen towns and villages spring up, has witnessed the introduction of the telegraph and telephone, together with the establishing of many industries and enterprises and feels a just pride in Van Buren County, his only home.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.