Bio: Capt. C. J. Foster, Caddo Parish La Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker sueshoe@hotmail.com ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Capt. C. J. Foster is a man whom nature seems to have especially designed to be a planter, for he has met with more than the average degree of success in pursuing that calling, and owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path to his adoption of new an improved methods, together with industry and good judgment, he is now the owner of 5,000 acres of fine land, besides good business property in Shreveport and one of the most magnificent homes in that city. He was born in Monroe County, Ala., in 1834, to Flavel and Mary (Hollingsworth) Foster, the former of whom was born in Virginia in 1801, but was reared in Kentucky. The mother's birth occurred in Alabama in 1802, and in this State they were married and resided until 1842, when they came to Caddo Parish, La., and settled on an improved farm near Keatchie, where they spent the rest of their days, dying in 1860 and 1864, respectively. The father was a leading and successful planter, and improved several farms before his death. He was an earnest member of the Methodist Church and his wife was a Baptist. The paternal grandfather died in Kentucky when his son Flavel was a lad, and the latter was compelled to make his own way in the world. Jacob Hollingworth, the maternal grandfather, was one of the very early settlers of Caddo Parish, La., having come here in 1839 or 1840, and here spent the rest of his life. Capt. C. J. Foster was the fifth of eight children, and although much of his boyhood was devoted to farm life, he received a good education in the military school at Drennon Springs, Ky., and after that institution was removed to Nashville, Tenn., he attended it there, and graduated in the scientific course in 1856, after which he returned to the farm. He continued here to remain, being actively employed until 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Louisiana Infantry, as first lieutenant, and was afterward made captain, in which capacity he served with distinction until the close of the war, operating at Vicksburg until the fall of that place, then in Southern Louisiana. After the war he again returned to the farm, and has made remarkable progress as a planter. Until 1882 he resided on the old farm near Keatchie, but since that time has been a resident of Shreveport. Until 1889 he and his brother, James M., were partners in their farm work, and owned an immense plantation opposite Shreveport in Bossier Parish, and raised from 2,300 to 3,200 bales of cotton annually. They belong to one of the most popular families in the parish, and are among its most extensive planters. The most of Mr. Foster's property has been acquired through his own efforts and his earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in life is well worthy the imitation of the rising generation. In 1865 Miss Eunice E. Burruss became his wife, and to their union a family of four children was born, three sons now living. Mrs. Foster is a daughter of Rev. John C. and Emily Burruss, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Boston, Mass. After residing in Alabama for some time they came to Caddo Parish, La., about 1848, and here the father was called to his long home in 1863, having been a planter, and a minister of the Methodist Church throughout life. His widow survives him. Capt. Foster has served as police juror two terms, and in 1884 was elected to the Legislature and served with distinction on the committees on lands and levees, railroads, etc. He is a Democrat in politics; in social life is kind, courteous and affable in his demeanor to all; is a man who attracts the regard of all who approach him, and is universally reverenced and esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He and his wife are prominent and worthy members of the Methodist Church.