Thomas Foster Biography, Genesee County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1014


This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.


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THOMAS FOSTER. The name of this gentleman has for more than twenty 
years been associated with the rise and progress of Fostoria, and as 
one who has contributed materially to the advancement of its interests, 
we are pleased to place a review of his life on these pages, dedicated 
to those who have in any way advanced the tone of public thought or 
promoted the welfare of their fellow-citizens. For more than twenty 
years he has been engaged in lumbering, while at the same time he has 
extensive interests as a farmer and a stock-raiser, paying considerable 
attention to thoroughbred horses and cattle, sheep and hogs. In every 
venture in which he has embarked he has met with final success and that 
pleasant result has been attained by the exercise of personal 
characteristics of industry and enterprise.

   Mr. Foster comes of Irish parentage on his father's side, while his 
mother was born in Lower Canada. John Foster, his father, was a native 
of Belfast, Ireland, and followed the occupation of a farmer and stock-
raiser, after his removal to Canada. He and his good wife, Elizabeth, 
became the parents of nine children, as follows: Thomas, Joseph, 
Dorcas, William, Jane, Samuel, John, Elizabeth and Mary. John Foster 
long since passed to his last rest, his death occurring in 1844, while 
the mother survived until 1877.

   Our subject, who was born in Canada, passed his youth in a busy but 
comparatively uneventful manner, being chiefly engaged in clearing new 
land and raising crops. His educational advantages were limited, and 
the extensive knowledge of men and things which he now has, was 
acquired by close observation and careful reading. In 1852 he was 
married to Miss Margaret A., daughter of Isaac and Nancy Conklin, both 
now deceased. Mrs. Foster was born in New Jersey and has been an 
efficient co-laborer with her husband in all his undertakings. The year 
1871 marked the arrival of Mr. Foster in Fostoria, where he has since 
resided. He was engaged in lumbering first for the late Gov. H. H. 
Crapo and since his death for the Hon. W. W. Crapo, having put in from 
ten to eighteen million each year. He looked up large quantities of 
pine lands for Gov. Crapo in Michigan, besides pine and timbered lands 
in Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington for the Hon. W. W. Crapo.

   The political belief of our subject has brought him into close 
identification with the Republican party, to which he is devotedly 
attached. With the agricultural interests of the State he is closely 
connected, and has served as President of the Genesee County 
Agricultural Society for many years, as well as Director. A mail of 
fine endowments, well trained mind and high personal character, he has 
been an invaluable citizen of the county and has clone noble service in 
promoting its welfare.




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