SOLOMON D. FOSTER.

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         Solomon D. Foster is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Oakland township, whose birth occurred in Concord township, Louisa county, on the 5th of July, 1865. His parents, Harrison and Sarah (Reynolds) Foster, were both natives of Ohio in which state they were also married but shortly thereafter . . .

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. . . came to Iowa, being among the pioneer settlers of Louisa county. Here the father engaged in farming until his demise which occurred in 1868, the mother, however, surviving until 1900. Eight children were born unto them as follows: Mary, who is living in the state of Washington; Marion, a resident of Xenia, Wayne county, Illinois; Lydia, who passed away in 1907, the widow of James Henderson; Fannie, who married Samuel Bushong, of Fredonia, Iowa; Jane, the wife of Thomas Cross, of Louisa county; Henry H., who is living in Creston, Iowa; A. Jackson, also a resident of this county; and Solomon D.

         Solomon D. Foster, who was a child of only three years when his father died, was educated in the district schools of his native county. He assisted with the work of the home farm from his early boyhood until he had attained his majority, at which time he rented the property from his mother. For four years thereafter he continued its operation, following which he went to Emmet county where he bought a farm which he cultivated for nine years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Johnson county and two years thereafter he sold his farm in Emmet county. In October 1901, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Louisa county—the property known as the Squire Davis farm. Four years later he bought an adjoining tract, known as the George Davis property, since which time he has also purchased a timberlot. The aggregate of his present holdings in now one hundred and sixty-six acres of land, located on section 24, Oakland township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.

         In September, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Foster and Miss Hattie V. Files, who was born in Johnson county, in July, 1869, a daughter of James M. and Mary (Bowman) Files. The parents are both natives of Ohio but they were married in Johnson county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1899, when he retired to Iowa City, where he has ever since continued to reside. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Files, Mrs. Foster being the eldest, while the other are: Charley, who is a resident of Mason City, Iowa; Estella, who is a dressmaker, living at home; Myrtle, who is a nurse, also at home; Ray, an attorney of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Wayne, a barber living in Iowa City; Leo, who is a high school graduate, also a resident of Iowa City; and Blanche, who passed away at the age of four months.

         The union of Mr. and Mrs. Foster has been blessed with eight children: Myrtle, who was born on the 10th of August, 1891, a graduate of the Conesville high school, and a teacher for a year; Jesse M., born on the 7th of June, 1893, also a graduate of the high school; Audrey E., who was born on the 15th of February, 1895, and is still attending high school; Sylvia C., born October 27, 1897, attending school; Cecil H., whose birth occurred on the 9th of November, 1898; Fern I., who was born on the 30th of July, 1900; Herald W., whose birth occurred on the 14th of June, 1906; and Carl E., who was born August 28, 1908.

         The family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Foster is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, being identified with the lodge at Conesville. He votes with the prohibition party, thus voicing his views . . .

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. . . on the temperance question. During the period of his residence in Emmet county he served as a trustee for five years and at present he is a member of the school board. He has never taken a very active part in political affairs, always having preferred to concentrate his energies upon the development of his personal interests in the administration of which he is meeting with success.