ANDERSON, Foster, 1825-1918

ANDERSON, HARDESTY, GREEN, HOWRY, WALKER, HACKNEY, EBERT, KETCHUM

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 2/20/2013 at 12:47:52

Obituary of Foster Anderson

Foster Anderson was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, October 15th, 1925, and passed away at Eldon, Iowa, June 16, 1918, at the home of his son Harry Anderson. He was 92 years, 8 months and 1 day old.

When about twenty years of age he came to Iowa and settled close to Birmingham. This place has practically been his home since that time until three years ago when he started making his home in Fairfield and Eldon with his children. In February 1916 he fell and sustained a broken hip. He never fully recovered from the effects of the injury and has hardly ever been able to walk since that time.

Mr. Anderson became a member of the Masonic lodge at Birmingham when he was twenty-one years of age, and was a member in good standing at the time of his death. Thus can it be said that Mr. Anderson is the oldest Mason in Van Buren county, having been a member more than 71 years.

On September 20th, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Hardesty of Van Buren county. To them nine children were born, two of whom are dead. They are Mrs. Nettie Green and Wilson Anderson. Those surviving are: Mrs. Belle Howry, Mrs. Jennie Walker, Kate M. Anderson all of Idaho; W. W. Anderson, O. S. Anderson, Mrs. Flora E. Hackney of Washington, Kansas; and Mrs. Etta Ebert of Fairfield. His wife preceded him in death April 21, 1873.

His second marriage occurred January 25th, 1877, to Eurenia S. Ketchum. One son was born to them, Harry F. Anderson of Eldon, at whose home he died. Besides his children he leaves to mourn their loss 24 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

At the time of the Civil War he volunteered but was rejected because of his physical condition. Thus did he so desire to help in the great struggle, that he organized a company of Home Guards and was commissioned Captain.

Mr. Anderson took to his bed Mar. 14, 1918, and has been almost helpless since that time. His illness was due to a complication of diseases and old age. He has always enjoyed good health and it was hard for him to take to his bed but he was a most patient sufferer. He was rational within two hours before he died. Finally he fell into a sleep from which he failed to awaken. Death came about 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon.

The funeral services were held at Birmingham Tuesday morning, Jun. 18th, at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. A. W. McBlain, pastor of the M. E. church at Eldon. The Masonic lodge of Birmingham took charge of the service at the grave.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book B, page 292, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA