Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 54

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 54

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Mr. Fossett was married in Lincoln, Ill., January 20, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Eilis, a native of Kentucky, born June 8, 1844, daugh- ter of William K. Ellis and wife, of that State. The father was formerly a slave holder, but left his old home and traveled with an ox- team to Illinois in 1852, purchasing a farm in Logan County, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were parents of four daughters and one son, of whom those surviving are: Mrs. Fossett ; Mrs. Maggie Ma- son, of Lincoln, and Mrs. Amanda Bartlett, of Nebraska. Nine children were born to Mr. Fos- sett and wife, eight sons and one daughter, of whom five survive: William T., United States Deputy Game Warden, living in Illiopolis ; J. Edward, of Springfield ; Elmer, meat inspector at the State Hospital for the Insane. at Jack- sonville ; John V., of Illiopolis, a stock-buyer by occupation ; Maude, wife of Charles A, Higgins, of Illiopolis, who is an insurance broker. Mrs. Fossett owns a very pleasant home at Illiopolis

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and other property in the vicinity. She is an earnest worker for the church and has many warm personal friends. Mr. Fossett's death occurred In February, 1905, and he has been sadly missed in many circles.

FOSTER, George W., who has resided for the last ten years at 146 North State Street, Spring- field, Ill., as a retired farmer, was born in Woodford County, Ky., December 28, 1834, son of William O. and Nancy ( Beavis) Foster. The father, who was a farmer, was born In Virginia, in 1800, and died In Kentucky in 1840. The mother, who was born in Kentucky in 1796, spent her entire life there and died in April, 1869. The grandmother of Mr. Fos- ter Juliann (Kraft) Beavis was very wealthy for those times and owned stock In several ship companies. When the assessor called at her house she carrled out her gold to him in her apron. William O. Foster and his wife had four children, of whom two died in infancy and two grew to maturity.

George W. Foster received his education in the public schools of his native State, attend- ing school in a log building. After leaving school he worked on a farm for his parents, imtil taking up farming on his own account. He remained in Kentucky until 1876, then moved to Illinois and there spent one year, after which he returned to his former home. In 1880 he moved to Salisbury, Sangamon County, Ill., where he lived eight years, then locating at his present home in Springfield. He owns the honse he occupies and formerly owned sixty acres of land in Kentucky, which he sold and then bought property in Spring- field. He is a member of the Christian Church and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Foster has won many friends in Springfield and is re- spected by all who have had dealings with him. Ile is Interested in public affairs in the com- innity, although taking no active part in them himself.

The marriage of Mr. Foster occurred in Wood- ford County, Ky., April 7, 1867, when he was united with Melvina Gaines, who was born Jannary 12, 1849, a dangliter of Robinson and Frances Jane (Ellis) Gaines. Mr. Gaines was horn in Virginia and his wife In Kentucky, and neither lived to middle age. The grandfather of Mrs. Foster, John Robinson Gaines. was wealthy, owning land and plantations In Wood- ford and Franklin Counties, Kentucky. He died in 1833 and his wife in 1840. Six children were born to Mr. Foster and wife: William B., born March 6, 1869, now a farmer; Anna L., wife of R. E. Parkes, of Pawnee. Ill. ; Minule, married Edward Lacy, a farmer living near Salisbury, Ill .; Oliver J., Ilving at home, has heen employed for the past seven years at Fogarty's shoe-store in Springfield ; Hattie and Thomas, died in infancy. Four children were born to Edward Lacy and his wife, namely : Gale, Linn E., Keith F. and Lloyd M., all Ilv- ing with their parents.

FOSTER, Hubbard C., member of a family that has heen prominent in Sangamon County, Ill., for more than seventy years, is known as a public-spirited and useful citizen and has filled many local offices with credit and satisfac- tion. Mr. Foster, horn about one mile from the village of Loami, Sangamon County, March 29, 1855, is a son of James L. and Martha ( Jacobs) Foster, the former horn In Boone County, Ky., Jannary 8, 1822. James L. was a son of Sam- nel Foster, also a native of Boone County. Samuel Foster married Miss Susan Cutter, a native of Massachusetts and a Mayflower de- scendant. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and after their marriage moved to Peters- burg, Ky. A street in Cincinnati is named for the Cutter family, and a brother of Mrs. Fos- ter, Seth R. Cutter, came to what is now Loami Township, Sangamon County, in 1828, settling on Section 4, the land where he located now being the property of II. C. and Gottlieb Meyer. Samuel Foster died in Petersburg, Ky., at a venerable age, while his wife survived him, passing away in her one hundredth year. Iler grandson, Huhbard C. Foster, visited her In Kentucky in 1878, and she died in the fall while he was there. She and her husband had a large family, of whom one survives, Seth Cut- ter Foster, of Cincinnati.

James 1. Foster came to Illinois in the early 'forties, his hrother Franklin having come to Sangamon County some years prior and pur- chased land in Loami Township. Here they kept honse together several years, on eighty acres of land in Section 9 of that township. James L. Foster purchased elglity acres and put np a log cabin, added to his possessions fron time to time as he was able, though his brother Franklin was content with his first eighty acres. The land purchased by James L. Fos- ter was raw prairie and he began improving it, developing a fine farm. He finally owned 220 acres of good prairie land in Loami Town- ship. His brother never married but made his home with James and his family. The former died in July, 1869, having deeded his real es- tate to his brother's wife, as a remembrance to her for her kindness to hlm in his last illness.

James L. Foster married Miss Martha Jacobs July 16, 1850. She was a native of Loaml Township, horn April 2, 1827, a danghter of Dan- lel Jacobs, who was born in Winchester, Ky., May 27, 1795, and his wife. Charlotte (Webb) Jacobs, also a native of Clark County, Ky. The parents were married Jammary 30, 1819, and came to Illinois in 1825, bringing thelr household goods in a wagon, while Mrs. Jacobs rode on horseback carrying one of their chil- dren in her arms. Mr. Jacobs entered land in Section 25, Loami Township, now owned by his son, James A. Jacobs, who was born on that farm in 1829. The former developed a fine farm and erected a handsome residence witli comfortable ontbuildings, at the time of his death, October 5, 1853, being the owner of sev- eral hundred acres. His wife died at the age

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of elghty-four years. Eleven children were born to Mr. Jacobs and wife, of whom bnt two sur- vive: James A., on the old home farm, and a danghter, Annis, wife of James E. Dodds, a farmer of Talkington Township, Sangamon County. The entire family of children, nine daughters and two sons, reached matnrity.

Eight children were born to James L. Fos- ter and his wife: Ella, married James L. Rigg, and moved to Colchester, Ill., where her death occurred, in 1895; George W., makes his home with his brother, Ifubbard C .; James A., re- tired, living at' Loami, married Miss Dora M. Morris in 1891, and they have one son, Ralph, a graduate of the Springfield High School in the class of 1911; Hubbard C .; Susan, was wife of Lewis Crabtree and died December 30, 1900; Charles B., a resident of Caloosa, Lee County, Fla., married Era Blount, in 1906; Lizzie and Martha, died in infancy. James L. Foster was reared in the Baptist faith, but after locating In Illinois united with the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He and his four sons joined the A. F. & A. M., being affiliated with Lodge No. 450, of Loamni. He was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics, though a man of quiet, domestic tastes, and never an aspirant for pub- lic office.

The boyhood days of Hubbard C. Foster were spent on the farm, where he attended Maple Grove District School, and where he remained until forty years of age. Mr. Foster was mar- ried, in the St. Nicholas Hotel, Springfield, April 12. 1892, to Miss Lethe Evans, and they began housekeeping on the farm where he was born. They remained two years there and on that place their son, Benjamin Harrison, was born, August 4, 1895. He graduated from the grammar school in 1908 and was second in the class of 1910 in the Loami High School, which has a two year course.

In 1895 Mr. Foster erected a very comfortable and convenient residence on Sonth Main Street, Loami, and they began occupying this home October 4, 1895. They are surrounded by every comfort and have one of the best houses In the village. Mr. Foster has always been active in the interests of the Republican party since at- tainIng his majority. He filled the office of Town Clerk one year, has for eight years been Justice of the Peace of Loami, has served as Police Magistrate, as President of the Board of Village Trustees 1907-08, and in 1910 was appointed United States census ennmerator. In January, 1909, he was appointed by Gov. Charles S. Deneen as Notary Public for four years. He is Social Secretary of Lodge No. 450 A. F. & A. M., of Loami, and belongs to Camp No. 848 M. W. A. He held the office of President of the Sulphur Springs Cemetery Association. For some twenty years he has been local cor- respondent of the Illinois State Journal, and for the same period has reported on the local changes and conditions of weather, to the United States Weather Bureau at Springfield. Mrs. Foster and her son are members of the

Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Royal Neighbors, also of the Order of Eastern Star. She takes great interest in church and Sunday School work. Mr. Foster has the confidence of the entire community and is one of the best- known farmers of Sangamon Connty.

Mr. Foster and his wife are genninely kind- hearted and generons. They adopted a child, Eva May Evans, who was born June 26, 1897, her mother having died July 7, 1897, when the child was a babe, and her father on May 2, 1899, when she was abont two years old. IIer parents were Samuel and Kittie (Colburn) Evans, who also had a son, Glenn, who was born March 22, 1894, and who lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Barbre, of Taylorville, Ill. Eva May has been given a good education, being a gradnate of the com- mon school of Loami, and has also been edn- cated in music, for which she displays consid- erable talent. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FOSTER, Jacob F .- There are men in Sangamon County who have spent their lives in farming, having become convinced that In that calling there was more profit for them than in any other they might adopt. They have been snc- cessfnl throngh long years of persistent effort, and can point with pride to thelr well-tilled acres to show that they have not worked in vain. One of these practical farmers is Jacob F. Foster, of Section 34, Curran Township, where he was born March 11, 1854, being a son of William and Elizabeth (Sbutt) Foster, natives of Kentucky.

William Foster came to Illinois in boyhood, settling in Curran Township at a very early day. Later he bought a small piece of land, and still later bought the 100 acres his father had purchased, continuing to farm until his death, which occurred September 5, 1910, when he was eighty-seven years old. His wife had passed away In 1891. having borne him nine children, seven sons and two danghters: George is a farmer of Sangamon Connty ; Peyton lives in Kirksville, Mo .; Sarah E .. Mrs. Henry Bivin, resides in Springfield; Douglas Is a farmer of Sangamon Connty ; Leonard is also a farmer of the county ; Marion Is a blacksmith, of Wood- side; Eva J. is the wife of Simpson Williams, and lives in Hopkins Connty, Ky .; Jacob F., and Charles, farmers In Sangamon County. During the Mexican War William Foster served his country, and he was a brave and good man.

Jacob F. Foster went to the district school and worked on his father's farin, as did so many of the sturdy farmer boys of Sangamon County who have since developed into prosper- ons men in almost every line of business or profession. After attaining hls majority he be- gan farming for himself. continuing his work with such success that he now owns 150 acres in the township which gave him birth.

The marriage of Mr. Foster occurred In

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Springfield, March 14, 1893, when he was united with Mary Nelson, a native of Illinois. Her parents, who were early settlers of Macoupin County, are both deceased. Six children, four sons and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster : Frank, William, Louisa, Leola, Earl and Charles. Mr. Foster Is a Democrat in political faith. Having llved all his life in Curran Township, he is deeply attached to the place and interested in everything looking to- wards the advancement of its best interests. He is a solid, substantial and practical farmer and a good business man, and stands well with his neighbors.

FOSTER, Samuel Lewis .- The Foster family has been prominent in Sangamon County, Ill., since the father of Samuel Lewis, Ivins Foster, came to Illinois from Kentucky, in 1829. Sam- uel Lewis Foster was born in Curran Township. Sangamon County, June 29, 1830, and was one of the oldest native-born residents of the county. He was a son of Ivins and Margaret (McKee) Foster, both born in Harrison County, Ky., the former November 23, 1794, and the latter Jan- uary 24, 1796. The McKee family Is of Scotch- Irish descent and came to Kentucky from Muddy Creek, Pa. Ivins Foster was a son of Samuel and Mary Mayhall (Veatch) Foster, who moved from Muddy Creek, Pa., to Har- rison County, Ky. Ivins Foster located in Cur- ran Township, Sangamon County, in 1829, and his death occurred there near the village of Curran, January 4, 1866, and that of his wife April 19, 1880.

Eight children were born to Ivins Foster aud wife, as follows: William David, died in Edin- burgh, Scotland, in 1843; Mary Jane, married Samuel Dunn, who died about 1900, and his widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Ackers, at 1505 South College Street, Springfield ; Joel Sanford, born in Harrison County, Ky., died December 9, 1847, in Curran Township, aged twenty-three years; Rebecca Ann, born in Ken- tucky, died August 15, 1837; Samuel Lewis; John Wesley, born in Curran Township, Jan- uary 29, 1833, was married, in that Township, March 26, 1883. to Jerusha Dennis, and died in Sangamon County, October 4, 1898; James Thomas, born in Curran Township. March 29, 1836, died August 4, 1840; Martha Elizabeth, born March 23, 1838, died March 29, same year.

Samuel Lewis Foster was reared on a farm one mile southeast of Curran, and received his early education in the country schools. In 1849 he entered Mckendree College, at Lebanon, St. Clair County, Ill., where he graduated lu 1853 and afterward taught school two years, after which he engaged in farming in Curran Town- shlp. In 1860 he sold his interests in Sanga- mon County and moved to Elk River. Sher- burne County, Minn., lived there during the Indian troubles, and In 1863 retured to Cur- ran Townshlp, where he agaln engaged In farm- ing and sheep-raising. He found good profit in producing wool, remaining on his farm until

1882, when he located in Springfield, buying a house on the corner of Edwards and New Street, which he later sold and moved to the village of Curran. He kept a general store there four years, then moved to a farm south- east of Curran, where he was engaged in farm- Ing until 1894, when he moved to his present residence, 701 South English Avenue, Spring- field, later selling his farm. For about five years he had been an invalid. He was ener- getic and Industrious during his active career and was successful in whatever he undertook. He was a public-spirited citizen and always ready to contribute his share towards the wel- fare of his community. .

Mr. Foster was married by Elder Crane, of Springfield, December 27, 1855, to Miss Lydia Lee, who was born in Dover, Del., February 8, 1834, and they became parents of the following chlidreu : Mary Alice, born In Curran Town- ship, October 5, 1856, was married, July 12, 1881, to Archibald Maxwell; Charles, born in Curran Township, April 7, 1858, died Septem- ber 13, same year; Louis Kossuth, born In Curran Township, July 12, 1859, was married in Springfield, in 1885, to Miss Lucy Ewell, and they now live in Denver, Col .; Robert Lee, born in Sherburne County, Minn., November 6, 1861, was married, in Menard County, Ill., May 10, 1883, to Miss Margaret Elsie Foster, and they uow live in Springfield; Margaret May, born in Curran Township, July 3, 1870, was married December 25, 1888, to James P. Sims, who is Principal of the Iles School, Springfield.

Mr. Foster never cared for public office, though he had been au ardent Republican since the organization of that party. He was an active member of the Methodlst Episcapol Church and fraternally was affiliated with the Masonic Or- der, which he joined in 1851, In St. Clair County, Ill., when he became a member of Lodge No. 110. He was a member of Chatham Lodge, at Chatham, Ill. He was genlal and kindly of disposition and enjoyed the society of his friends of whom he had a large number. He died in April, 1911.

FOUTCH, Hugh .- When the American Colonies separated from Great Britain and sought to establish their independence, families were divided, some members espousing the new cause, others adhering to the old order of things. Hugh Foutch, an esteemed retired farmer of New Berlin, traces his ancestry back to one of three brothers who came to Virginia at an early day. Of these Abraham Foutch enlisted with the Colonial Army and, in spite of the pleadings of his brothers, fought for seven years in defense of his adopted country. They remained faithful to King George, whom they regarded as their rightful ruler. At the close of the war, feeling unhappy in his old home, Abraham adventurously set forth for the raw land in the vicinity of Evansville, Ind., where lie farmed for some years, going later to Ken- tucky. There his son John was born, as was

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Thomas Fontch, the father of Hngh Foutch. Ail of the sons of Abraham Foutch have passed away, they having been : Abraham, Hngh, John, Thomas and William, ail the iast-named grow- ing to maturity and rearing families of their own. There were also five danghters who grew up and married, but they are also deceased.

The Foutch family migrated to Sangamon County, Iil., about 1825, and John Foutch, a son of Abraham Foutch, passed his last days there, dying at Old Beriin about 1846. Thomas Fontch was born November 25, 1799, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years, dying February 14, 1893. His widow died in Sep- tember of the same year, being then ninety- three years of age. She had borne the maiden name of Sarah Wherrett and she, like her ins- band, was also a native of Kentucky. Upou coming to Iliinois the family made a short stop in what is now Pleasant Piains, then bought 160 acres in Island Grove Township. After improving this property and greatiy increasing its value, John Fontch sold it, purchasing what is now the old Foutch homestead. This con- tinued to be his home until death claimed him. Thomas Foutch was a typical Kentnckian, char- itable and iiberai, ready to think weli of those he came in contact and help anyone who needed assistance withont stopping to ask if it was merited. Long a prominent figure in the Bap- tist Church, he was instrumental in the erec- tion of the first edifice for worship of this de- nomination in Old Berlin, and when an aged man took pleasure in walking to the church and building the fire so that the other members conld be comfortable while listening to their Master's word. For a number of years he served faithfnily as Deacon, and was always a very liberal supporter of the church. Long a Whig, upon the formation of the Republican party he adopted its principles, and gladiy fol- lowed his warm personai friend, Abraham Lin- coln, in his support of that party. Ali his life he steadfastly refused to accept political hon- ors, preferring to aid his community as a pri- vate citizen, and he left behind him a record of a blameless life and countless kindiy, char- itabie deeds.

Six children, three sons and three danghters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Foutch : Elizabeth Ann married Thomas Poilock, both deceased; Nancy married John Bevan, both de- ceased, left four children; John, deceased; Car- oiine married Thomas Curran, hoth deceased, left one daughter; William was First Lieu- tenant of Company D, Twenty-sixth Iilinois Voi- unteer Infantry, was taken sick at Quincy, com- ing home only to die; Hugh, the youngest and only survivor.

Hugh Foutch was born on the home farm in Island Grove Township, December 19, 1836, and grew to manhood's estate in his uative county. He received a district school education and was reared in a religious atmosphere in his home. When he was twenty-one years of age he began farming for his father. On September

2, 1858, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Wikoff, born near Middietown, in Butier Connty, Ohio, November 14, 1836, a daughter of Samuel and Nancy Ann ( Henderson) Wi- koff, natives of New Jersey. Later the family located in Ohio, where both parents passed away. Mrs. Foutch was a daughter by iler father's second marriage. By his first marriage he had four children: Joseph, Ireton, Samuel and Allan, all deceased. By his second mar- riage he had seven children : Augustns, de- ceased; Gertrude, who married John Vail, both deceased; Peter, of Maroa, Iii .; Lemuei, of Maroa, Ili. ; John, Henderson and Mrs. Foutch. She and her two brothers Peter and Lemuei are the only survivors.

For many years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Foutch lived on the homestead, caring for his aged parents. Eventually Mr. Fontch erected a beautiful farmhouse in which he was able to care for his parents more comfortably, and in it they died. He still owns this home- stead of 180 acres, and his one son, William Wherett, born Jannary 31, 1863, owns ninety acres, operating the two farms as one. This son married Louisa A. Wiicox and they have two children, Grace and Haiden, both at home.

Like his father, Mr. Fontch is .an earnest member of the Baptist communion, and has beeu one of its Deacons for a number of years, hoiding his membership in the congregation of New Berlin. Mr. Foutch's first presidentiai vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln and he has continned to support the candidates of the Re- publican party ever since. As iong as he re- mained on the farm Mr. Foutch served his district as School Director, but wonid accept no other office. Having accumulated a sufficient amount of this worid's goods, in April, 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Fontch decided to leave the farin and take life more easily, so retired to the northern part of New Berlin, where they are very comfortably located, owning their present home. They are most excellent people, com- mauding nniversal respect and enjoying the friendship of all who have the honor of their acquaintance.

The name Fontch is of French origin, and was originally spelled Fouche, the change heing made by the iater generations.

FOWLER, Charles C. (deceased), iate of Spring- field, left behind him, the record of an honor- able life and was highly respected as a citizen and an npright, industrious man. He was ac- tuated by high principles in his relations with his feilows and had a wide circle of sincere friends. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania, Angst 12, 1845, and he was a son of Caieb and Catherine (Ross) Fowler, both natives of Penn- sylvania, the father born in 1824, and the mother in 1828. Caleb Fowler, a fariner of Pennsyl- vauia, emigrated from that State to Kentucky, . he and his brother-in-law, James Canedy, with their families, making the entire trip down the Ohio River on a flat-boat, which they had con-

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structed for the purpose. They located near Ashland, Boyd County, where Mr. Fowler pur- chased a large farm and operated it until his death, in February, 1906, his wife having passed away about one year previous, in February, 1905. He was a Past Master in the Masonic Order, and at the time of his death the oldest Mason In the State. The Fowlers were an old famlly in Pennsylvania, having made their home there for several generations before Caleb Fowler removed to Kentucky. Nine children were born to him and his wife, of whom Charles C. was the second in order of birth. The others were as follows: John G., a farmer of St. Ger- main, Wash .; Ambrose, who was a farmer, dled In 1891; Henry is a farmer and lives near Ash- land, Ky .; Samuel lives at Ashland, Ky .; James A., a wealthy farmer of Missonri ; Anma, widow of James McClellen, who was a wealthy farmer, residing in Indiana; Tryphena, who married Benjamin Barber of Ashland, Ky., and is now deceased ; Bell, wife of Wilson Ballard.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 54

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774