Don H. Foster Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1132-1133 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				DON H. FOSTER.  

	The development of Gregory county is being promoted in large 
measure through the efforts of Don H. Foster, vice president and 
manager of the Western Townsite Company. He was born in Northwood, 
Iowa, on the 17th of July, 1879, a son of Sidney A. and Clara (Hill) 
Foster, the former the vice president and manager of the Royal Union 
Mutual Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, where both he and his wife 
still make their home.  

	Don H. Foster supplemented a public-school education by study in 
Grinnell College of Iowa and then went to Chicago, where he was 
connected with the general agency of the Royal Union Mutual Life 
Insurance Company for three years. On the expiration of that period he 
made his way to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later was transferred to Des 
Moines, where he occupied the position of agency supervisor for a 
number of years. In 1907 he came to South Dakota and assisted in 
establishing the present town of Dallas. From that moment to the 
present his labors have been an effective force in promoting the 
upbuilding and progress of this part of the state. He takes cognizance 
of every opportunity and has the ability to separate the essential 
features of a situation from its incidental and accidental 
circumstances. His correct valuation of each advantage as it arises has 
been one of the strong forces in his growing success. On coming to 
Dallas he embarked in the general land and farm loan business. He also 
became active in other connections, organizing the Dallas Drug Company, 
which owned a string of drug stores. He organized the Dallas Milling 
Company and was extensively engaged in the ranch and cattle business. 
In 1909 he was one of the organizers of the Western Townsite Company 
and assumed his present position as vice president and manager. In 1914 
he became associated with Charles A. Bates in the purchase of Indian 
lands in the Pine Ridge country.  

	On the 25th of June, 1901, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to 
Miss Geraldine Jones, a daughter of Edward H. and Josephine (Westfield) 
Jones, of Des Moines, Iowa. They have two children, namely: Virginia 
J., who was selected by Judge Witten to draw the first twenty-five 
numbers at the drawing for Mellette county lands in the Rosebud 
reservation; and Elizabeth J.  

	Mr. Foster exercises his right of franchise in support of the men 
and measures of the republican party and for four years was mayor of 
Dallas, using his official prerogatives to advance the interests of the 
town along substantial and permanent lines. He also served for a term 
of two years as president of the Greater Dallas Committee and is now on 
the board of managers, and the effects of his efforts in that 
connection have already been far-reaching and beneficial. Mr. Foster is 
a York Rite Mason and was worshipful master of Gateway Lodge, No. 150, 
A. F. & A. M., for three years. He also belongs to the Elks lodge of 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and he finds recreation in hunting and motoring He 
takes interest in all clean, manly sports and at one time played 
professional football covering a period of seven years, which included 
two years during his collegiate days. He was also captain of the track 
team at Grinnell for two years and under his direction that college won 
the state championship. One of his salient characteristics is his 
interest in education, which he values at its true worth. He has been 
active in assisting deserving boys through college, already furnishing 
the means that has enabled two boys to complete a college course, while 
recently he has started two more in college. He stands as a splendid 
example of American manhood and chivalry, imbued at all times with the 
belief that every individual should be given opportunity for progress 
and willing at all times to lend a helping hand. His interest centers 
in the welfare of South Dakota and particularly of the Rosebud, and his 
work and influence are reaching out in constantly broadening circles 
for the benefit and upbuilding of the district.