BIO: Robert McKay FOSTER, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages  91-92

ROBERT McCAY FOSTER was born November 14, 1860, at the old Foster homestead, 
State College, Penn. He is a son of Capt. Robert M. Foster, who was born in 
Union County, in 1826, where he grew to manhood, and married Miss Delilah Smith, 
a descendant of a well-known German family, of Snyder County.  
  Soon after his marriage, Capt. Foster purchased a tract of land, about 130 
acres, adjoining the lands owned by State College, and settled down to 
agricultural pursuits. He was a devout Presbyterian, and in his political 
affiliation he was a Democrat, patriotic to the core, and possessing the 
qualities which fitted a man for leadership. The war of the Rebellion called him 
from his private life to serve in defense of the government. He raised Company 
C, 148th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which he was commissioned 
captain, and so distinguished himself by his gallant conduct, that at the battle 
of Gettysburg he held the rank of acting colonel.  On the second day of that 
momentous struggle, while in charge of his command, in the, wheat field, he met 
a soldier's death. His widow died December 27, 1895, and both lie buried in 
Branch Cemetery, State College, Pennsylvania.
   Robert M. Foster was the youngest of six children, of whom Thomas and William 
are now engaged in the wholesale grocery business, in Philadelphia, three 
daughters having died in infancy.  
  The subject of this sketch was very early in life thrown upon his own 
resources, but with a noble mother's care, and by his own industry and economy, 
managed to get a good public-school education, and finally in 1878 entered 
Pennsylvania State College. After completing his course, he accepted the 
position of bookkeeper for the firm of Smith, Foster & Co., the prominent 
wholesale grocers of Philadelphia, with whom he is now connected. His knowledge 
of business, his integrity and faithful services, so endeared him to his firm 
that, upon the recent death of the senior member, he was honored by being made 
one of the executors. In 1896 he received nomination for member of the House of 
Representatives.  The campaign of that year was hotly contested, and 
notwithstanding the Republican nominee for president, Hon. William McKinley, 
carrying the county by over 400 majority, he, as a candidate on the Democratic 
ticket, carried the county by 580. His work as a legislator was so pleasing to 
the G. A. R., that, when the vacancy on the Commission of Soldiers' Orphan 
Schools was caused by the death of Hon. McCauley Cook, his appointment for this 
position was requested by them. The Speaker of the House, Hon. H. 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 92

K. Boyer, when making this appointment said that "it gave him much pleasure to 
do, so" owing to the fact that Mr. Foster's father, Capt. Robert M. Foster, was 
killed at the battle of Gettysburg. His Legislative record is above reproach.  
His work, pertaining to measures bearing upon educational matters, has been very 
commendable.
  In 1893 Mr. Foster was married to Mary Ella Snyder, a daughter of Thompson A. 
Snyder, a retired engineer and veteran of the Civil war.  They have one son, 
Robert M. Foster, Jr. In private life Mr. Foster is very domestic. His home is, 
at all times, open to his friends, of whom he has many. He is popular among all 
classes, generous to the fault, and a native of the place. It is his pride to be 
most honored where he is best known, and, as his influence has extended, none 
have given him more hearty esteem and appreciation than the people who have 
watched his progress from boyhood.