Jess W. Foster, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1001-1002 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JESS W. FOSTER, M. D. 

	Dr. Jess W. Foster, engaged in the practice of medicine and 
surgery in Aurora, is one of the younger representatives of the 
profession, yet already has displayed ability and attained a 
professional position that many an older man might well envy. He was 
born in Fayette county, Iowa, on the 14th of September, 1886, and is a 
son of John A. and Jessie (McNaught) Foster, both of whom were natives 
of Scotland. They came to the United States in childhood with their 
respective parents and settled in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where they 
were reared and eventually married. From early manhood the father 
worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania until his removal to Iowa 
about 1870. He was a veteran of the Civil war, being among the first to 
respond to the call for troops following the outbreak of hostilities in 
1861. He enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, and served with that command throughout the war, participating 
in a number of hotly contested engagements. When peace was restored he 
returned to Pennsylvania, after which he continued work in the coal 
mines until 1870, when he came to the west, settling in Fayette county, 
Iowa, where he took up a homestead and began farming. For some time he 
carried on general agricultural pursuits but in his later years he 
retired from farm work and removed to Arlington, where his death 
occurred in January, 1913, while his widow still resides there. 

	Dr. Foster spent his youthful days under the parental roof and 
after. attending the district schools continued his education in 
Arlington, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-
school pupil. Later he took up the study of medicine, for he believed 
that he would enjoy the practice of that profession, and in 1906 he 
entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa 
City, spending a year as a student in that institution. He next entered 
the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago and 
was graduated therefrom with the class of 1910. Immediately after the 
completion of his course he located for practice at Lake Preston, South 
Dakota, where he successfully followed his profession for three years. 
In August, 1913, he went to Brookings, where he remained until he 
removed to Aurora, where he is enjoying a fine practice. 

	Dr. Foster recently erected in Brookings a handsome residence, 
which is supplied with all modern improvements, equipments and 
conveniences and which he sold advantageously. In 1911 he was united in 
marriage to Miss Blanche Welch of Arlington, Iowa, and they have gained 
many friends. Dr. Foster belongs to the Brookings Commercial Club and 
has membership in Brookings Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M. He is a member of 
the Third District Medical Society of South Dakota, of the State 
Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has built up a 
remunerative practice and undoubtedly has a bright professional career 
before him. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church and their sterling traits of character have established them in 
the high regard of their fellow townsmen.