Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Carleton FOSTER

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> November 2004

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History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement,
growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties,
cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories,
biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views
of county seats, etc.
Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881 p. 1145-1146

Carleton Foster, lumber manufacturer, was born in Essex Co., N.Y., August,
1826; son of Auran and Chloe Foster, natives of New York.  Carleton passed
his early life in farming, receiving a common school education in Essex and
Clinton Counties; at the age of twenty-one he commenced at the business of
mill-wrighting at Keeseville, N.Y.; during the next ten years he was
actively engaged in this business, and he built mills at a great many
points in New York State and in Canada, the firm by whom he was employed
doing the largest business in that section.  In 1855 he left his native
state and settled in Oshkosh, Wis.; here he engaged in the same business,
and until 1859 carried on some extensive operations; in the spring of that
year he bought Ira Griffin's saw-mill, located at the foot of Nebraska
street, and his connection with the lumber trade dates from that time.
Commencing the manufacture of lumber, he cut 2,000,000 feet that year, and
maintained this average until 1865, when he formed a copartnership with
J.V. Jones, his present partner.  The business at once increased, and the
product of the mill was 4,000,000 feet.  In the fall of 1872 the firm of
Foster & Jones tore down the old Griffin mill and built the present Conlee
Bros.' mill; this increased the capacity to 6,000,000 feet.  In 1876 they
sold this mill to Beach & Conlee; in 1866 they purchased of P.Z. Wilson his
sash, door and blind factory, which they enlarged, Mr. Jones having direct
supervision of it; in 1870 this mill was burned, and they immediately
commenced the erection of their present mill; from 1876 to 1879 they
manufactured no lumber, but in the latter year they bought the Sheldon
mill, and re-built it to produce 50,000 feet per day.  In the past ten
years the business of manufacturing sash, doors and blinds has grown to
enormous proportions, and the firm of Foster & Jones ranks among the
largest manufacturing concerns in Oshkosh.  Their factory contains all the
best and latest improved machinery and every facility for the manufacture
of their product at the lowest possible cost.  In November last this firm
introduced gas into their immense workshops and all their buildings are
lighted with it.  This firm shipped the first car-load of sash, doors and
blinds billed from this town.  Mr. Foster is one of the liberal,
progressive men of Oshkosh and foremost in enterprises that will enable the
city to maintain its prestige.  In 1861 he was elected Alderman from the
Third Ward, and re-elected to the same position in 1863, serving four years
continuously; in 1865 he was elected Mayor of the city of Oshkosh, and re-
elected in 1866.  While filling his second term he vetoed the "Bill of
extras on bridge contracts", which save the city over $3,000.  In the fall
of 1872 he was elected to the Legislature as Assemblyman from the Third
District, running against Nelson Beckwith, who he defeated by 400 majority;
in 1873 he received a marked compliment from his fellow townsmen by being
nominated and endorsed by both parties, and he ran without an opponent.
While in the Legislature he served as Chairman of the Lumber and
Manufactures Committee, and on other committees; during his second term his
party was in the minority, but he enjoyed the confidence of his colleagues
and was called to the chair to preside over the Committee of the Whole.
While always a liberal and conservative Republican, he has, since 1875,
taken no part in politics.  In 1854 he was married to Sybil Storrs at
Keeseville, N.Y.