CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: THOMAS J. FOSTER - Van Zandt County, TX 

***************************************************************** 
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com 
20 October 2001 
***************************************************************** 
TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

THOMAS J. FOSTER

Judge Foster of Canton is one of the old and honored citizens of 
Canton, having lived in the county more than forty six years.  He is 
loved and trusted as few men are in his community and among his 
countrymen.  His family came from Viginia, and the Judge has a broad 
streak of the often referred to Virginia gentleman in him, which is 
continually shown in his demeanor.  His grandfather, Thos. Foster, 
was born and reared in Virginia, but moved to Wilkes county, North 
Carolina, where he lived and died.  He was a farmer and hence 
reared his family on the farm.  Ambrose Foster was his son, and 
the father of our subject.  He was born and reared in North Carolina 
and never came to Texas.  Miss Mary Miller was born in the same 
county and in 1818 Ambrose and she were married.  They had seven 
children.  He died in 1832.  She came to Van Zandt county, Texas, 
where she died in 1878.  The Judge was born June 15, 1826, in the 
North Carolina home.  He was reared and educated there and following 
in the wake of his ancestors chose the vocation of farming, which 
has always had great attraction for him.  In recognition of his real 
worth however, he has been called upon by his people to fill the 
office of County Judge in his county for a period, and also he held 
the office of County Clerk for six years, and hence is a man of 
good experience, having knowledge of things generally.  He came to 
Van Zandt county in 1857.  On December 20, 1860, he married Miss 
Frances A. Tate, who still survives, and who has made the model 
wife and mother during all the years.  Judge Foster volunteered in 
the Confederate service, and served faithfully, also occupying the 
office of First Lieutenant and Captain.  He is a member of the 
church and a Mason.  He lives in a comfortable home on the border 
of the little city, and owns more than 500 acres of land, much of 
it adjoining his home.  He is in easy circumstances and noted for 
his kindness and hospitality,   Is a good model of purity and noble 
life for the young men who know him.  He easily furnishes an object 
lesson for those who would succeed in life in the highest and best 
sense.    The Southland.