OBIT: William W. FOSTER, 1902, Lykens, Dauphin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by LR Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/ _________________________________________ W. W. FOSTER W. W. Foster, one of the pioneer residents of this place, and who in the early history of Lykens was one of its most prominent personages, died at the home of his sister, Miss Beckie Foster, on South Second street, Monday morning about 4 o'clock, of a general breaking up of the system due to old age, in his 81st year. Deceased was the son of William and Harriet Foster, and was born in Lower Dublin township, now Philadelphia proper, on the 29th of August, 1822. He came to Lykens in 1847, just about the time the mines in this section were being developed, and being civil engineer assisted John Paul, then of Elizabethville, in running the line of the present railroad between this place and Millersburg. In 1857 he was appointed by the Lykens Valley Coal and Railway Co. as superintendent, and later held the superintendency of the railroad alone, the president of the company, George E. Hoffman, assuming the management of the colliery. After resigning the superintendency of the railway he engaged in civil and mine engineering, and was perhaps better acquainted with the lines of different tracks on our mountains than any other surveyor during his time. For a number of years past he was not engaged in any active pursuit, and had made his home with his children, spending the last few years with his sister, Miss Beckie Foster, on South Second street, where his death occured on the date above mentioned. Uncle William, as he was more familiarly known by his friends, enjoyed a large acquaintanceship, and was held in highest esteem by all who knew him. He was one of the last survivors of the jovial good fellows of several decades ago who scattered sunshine about their pathway through life and by his merry laughter chased many a cloud of sorrow from the brow of a disconsolate companion. He was an interesting conversationalist, and owing to his long residence in this section was considered a local historian, and was often consulted in regard to events of the past or certain geographical points, always giving the desired information cheerfully and unerringly. Mr. Foster had four brothers and two sisters, only one of the former, B. Rush Foster of Steelton, surviving. The sisters are Mrs. E. G. Savage of Harrisburg, and Miss Beckie Foster of this place. The surviving children are John F. Foster of Shamokin, Mrs. Kate Walt of Sayre and Mrs. Ida Price of Avondale, Ala. Mrs. B. Frank Miller of Wiconisco, deceased, was also a daughter. His wife preceded him to the grave 21 years ago last September. Funeral services were held at the late home of deceased Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Z. A. Weidler of the U. B. Church, officiating, after which interment took place in Odd Fellows' cemetery. Relatives and friends from a distance attending the funeral were John F. Foster of Shamokin; B. Rush Foster and wife, Steelton; Mrs. E. G. Savage, Geo. G. Savage, Mrs. A. B. Foster, Leonie Foster, Earl Foster, J. Frank Foster, Harrisburg; Mrs. Ida Price, Avondale, Ala.; Mrs. Kate Walt, Sayre; Elmer Ditty, Millersburg. Mrs. Sadie Barkman of Sayre, an adopted daughter, was unable to attend the funeral on account of sickness. The pallbearers were J. J. Nutt, J. J. John, Sam'l B. Coles, E. C. Hanna, Otto Long, Joseph Duncan, S. M. Fenn, John Woodside, J. S. Matter. Lykens Standard, March 28, 1902 1870 Wiconisco, Dauphin County census - William W. Foster, 49, civil & mining engineer Harriet Foster, 46 Mary J. Foster, 17 John F. Foster, 20 Kate Foster, 16 Sady Foster, 6