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Dr John Hunt Foster

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Dr John Hunt Foster

Birth	:	1826 Guilford County, North Carolina, USA
Death	:	1894
Burial	:	Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.5280342, -93.2704773
Description	:	John Hunt Foster, M. D. The pioneer physician in the undeveloped country found in central Iowa in the fifties shared the joys and sorrows of the community possibly more than any other one person, and it is no wonder that when the final summons came to Dr. J. H. Foster in 1894, that old and young felt that a most sacred tie had been severed, since, for years gone by, the old family doctor had been a welcomed guest in health as well as in time of sickness. His ministrations in time of need were those of a man who sought... Read More	John Hunt Foster, M. D. The pioneer physician in the undeveloped country found in central Iowa in the fifties shared the joys and sorrows of the community possibly more than any other one person, and it is no wonder that when the final summons came to Dr. J. H. Foster in 1894, that old and young felt that a most sacred tie had been severed, since, for years gone by, the old family doctor had been a welcomed guest in health as well as in time of sickness. His ministrations in time of need were those of a man who sought to do good to his fellow men, and while this venerable man of medicine failed to succeed in life in material things by accumulating plenty of this world's goods, he seemed to have found the pleasure that many have in accumulating dollars, diverted to other channels, and his time and energies were devoted to the relief of the distressed. By his kindly ministrations, this good old doctor of the old school won a place in the hearts and minds of the people of northern Hardin county that was probably never held by anyone man before or since. In sunshine or rain, in the heat of summer or the blizzards of the winter, he never faltered in the appeal for help, no matter how far the summons might come, and afoot, on horseback or in a buck-board, he hastened to the bedside of the suffering in hopes of relieving the distressed. Remuneration counted for naught. If the patient was willing and able to pay, very well, it was welcome; but if poor and unable to pay a fee, it was all the same, for the rich and poor alike received his ministrations and many a hand was raised to call him blessed. He left behind him no bulky estate to tell of his business acumen, but rather the sweetest memory any man can leave, the thought that "he lived to bless mankind." Such is a sidelight on the life of Dr. John H. Foster, whose name was a household word in Hardin county for over forty years. He was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in 1826, and on attaining his majority moved to Indiana. He was a descendant of Hugh Foster, one of the Carolina pioneers who came from England and located in the South. The family were Quakers and with the development of the slavery agitation moved North. Attracted by the "gold fever" in the West, he crossed the plains, enduring the privations of that perilous trip. Finding no success in California, he moved north into Oregon and while there became a member of the territorial Legislature. Returning east, he entered Rush Medical 'College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with honors. He came to Hardin county, Iowa, in 1855, and remained a citizen of the place until his death, in 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years. In those early days Doctor Foster was the only physician within a radius of thirty miles and frequent trips were made as far as Hampton, Eldora, Webster City and other points that were remote in those days because of there being no mode of transportation except afoot and by horse. In June, 1864, Doctor Foster was married to Abbie J. Estes, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Estes. To the Doctor and wife one son was born, Frank Estes Foster. Aside from his prominence as a physician, Doctor Foster was a leader in the affairs of his city and county and held a number of offices in the government of Iowa Falls during his life. He was the first secretary of the local lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but did not take an active part in the order in later years. The Doctor was reared a Quaker and seemed to exemplify the quiet and unassuming traits of those good people. At the time of his death many tributes were paid to his memory by the press and by individuals who had known him for years and appreciated his true character, shadowed at times by a gruff, blunt exterior that to a stranger sometimes hid the kindlier spirit that dwelt within and always manifested itself whenever touched by an appeal for aid. In closing this account of the life of a man whose career is so intimately associated with the history of the county for so many years, the following tribute and sidelight on the man seems fitting. In an address made before an old settlers' reunion many years ago, M. C. Woodruff, then editor of the Iowa Falls Sentinel, in referring to the Doctor, said: "It was on a bright September afternoon that I met a tall, broad-shouldered, serious-faced man, of uncertain age, down by the old mill. Neither waited for a formal introduction, but exchanged the simple 'How d'ye do?" in true western style. He was a sun-burned, substantial, pleasant-eyed and rather careless looking man. Like everybody else, he wanted a corner lot, a quarter section and a home. When he told me he was a physician and of Quaker parentage, I was doubly glad to welcome him; but when, in a few minutes later, he told me he had been a member of the territorial Legislature of Oregon I excused myself, hastened to my room and locked up my trunk. It was Doctor Foster, and what one of us all has been so much to Iowa Falls, or is so widely or intimately interwoven into the very web and woof of this village as he. With those of us who wear gray hairs, he has been the patient, skillful and ready healer; with the young, he has been the physical guardian from the cradle to this hour, and to all, a kind friend and generous neighbor. His goodness (I like that honest Saxon word) has given Doctor Foster an endearing title to the gratitude and affection of all." In pronouncing the eulogy at the Doctor's funeral, Rev. B. F. Snook, of Webster City, said: "Doctor Foster was, without exception, the best known man in Hardin county. For years he was the leading physician in this section of the partially settled Northwest. He was everybody's doctor, and everybody's friend. He never failed to respond to the call of the sick and suffering. Men loved and reverenced him because his personality compelled them to do so. "Personally, Doctor Foster was one of the grandest of men. There was a great deal of individuality about him. It was as striking as it was pleasing. His was a character of stern honesty and one that naturally inspired confidence. He was open-hearted, liberal and kind and considerate at all times and in all things. True it is that few men ever had such tenderness, such kindness, such love and charity as Doctor Foster. And yet his settled convictions, when given expression, often made him appear to the misunderstanding ones as harsh and cold. It was because he could not - would not - compromise with wrong, as he saw the wrong. He seemed to love almost everybody, and his lips never uttered a harsh word with intending injury." [From Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa, published in 1911. Contributed by Robert Fahey.]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Dr John Hunt Foster's memorial?
Dr John Hunt Foster's memorial is located at: Union Cemetery, Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA.
When did Dr John Hunt Foster death?
Dr John Hunt Foster death on 1894 in
Where are the coordinates of the Dr John Hunt Foster's memorial?
Latitude: 42.5280342
Longitude: -93.2704773

Family Members:

Spouse

Abbie Jeanette Estes Foster

(1844 - 1932)

Children

Frank Estes Foster

(1866 - 1943)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Union Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5280342, -93.2704773

2. Saint Mark Catholic Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5267000, -93.2701500

3. Friends Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5222015, -93.2375031

4. Northlawn Memory Gardens
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4854200, -93.2678700

5. Montgomery Family Burial Ground
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5932028, -93.3105961

6. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Grant Township, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5859985, -93.2070007

7. Alden Cemetery
Alden, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5218000, -93.3864500

8. Bahr Cemetery
Buckeye, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4380380, -93.3417480

9. Oakwood Cemetery
Owasa, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4500008, -93.1731033

10. Kidwiler Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4571991, -93.1492004

11. Buckeye Cemetery
Buckeye, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4508018, -93.3843994

12. Saint Peter's UCC Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6143010, -93.1639970

13. Cottage Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4049988, -93.3133011

14. Maynes Grove Cemetery
Hampton, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6577988, -93.2514038

15. Lincoln Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3964005, -93.2542038

16. Maysville Cemetery
Hampton, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6511002, -93.2024994

17. Jackson Township Cemetery
Owasa, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4219017, -93.1572037

18. Oak Hill Cemetery
Popejoy, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5816994, -93.4447021

19. Hazel Green Cemetery
Ackley, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4780998, -93.0905991

20. Hardin County Home Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3978004, -93.1524963

21. Tipton Norwegian Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3753014, -93.3458023

22. Saint Paul's Catholic Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6617012, -93.1442032

23. Oak Wood Cemetery
Ackley, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5591450, -93.0521440

24. Olson Cemetery
Popejoy, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6383018, -93.4403000