| Description |
: |
"Ralph Foster, Esq."
Aged 81 years 7 months 25 days, per marker
Aged 83, per death record
Husband of Ann Wilthew (m. 25 April 1817, Hexham Parish, Northumberland County, England)
Known children:
Ann Foster (b. abt 1819)
John Foster (b. 1821; d. 1906)
Thomas Foster (b. abt 1823)
Matilda Foster (infant dau of R. & A. Foster, d. 19 Aug 1825, aged 21 days)
William Henry Foster (b. 1827; m. Sarah Ann Crow; d. 1914)
Farmer, per death record
Born in Durham Co., England
****
FOSTER. The family of this name in Mersea township is one of the oldest and most influential in that section of the County of Essex, where they...
Read More
|
"Ralph Foster, Esq."
Aged 81 years 7 months 25 days, per marker
Aged 83, per death record
Husband of Ann Wilthew (m. 25 April 1817, Hexham Parish, Northumberland County, England)
Known children:
Ann Foster (b. abt 1819)
John Foster (b. 1821; d. 1906)
Thomas Foster (b. abt 1823)
Matilda Foster (infant dau of R. & A. Foster, d. 19 Aug 1825, aged 21 days)
William Henry Foster (b. 1827; m. Sarah Ann Crow; d. 1914)
Farmer, per death record
Born in Durham Co., England
****
FOSTER. The family of this name in Mersea township is one of the oldest and most influential in that section of the County of Essex, where they have owned land for nearly eighty years.
The Fosters are of English descent, Ralph Foster, the founder of the family in this country, having been a native of England, born Dec. 27, 1795, in the parish of Wardell, County of Durham, son of John Foster, of the same parish. Ralph Foster was educated in the parish schools of his native town, and as a young man worked in the mines, principally in the lead mines. He married in Hexham, County of Northumberland, England, April 25, 1817, Ann Wilthew, who was born May 16, 1796, in the parish of Hexham. Shortly after their marriage they embarked for the New World, coming to Nova Scotia, and first settled on Prince Edward Island. Later they returned to Nova Scotia, where Mr. Foster followed different occupations, and in time removed to New Brunswick, eventually coming to Ontario, and making their way to the County of Essex in about 1826, nearly ten years after they first landed on the Canadian shore. He located in Mersea township, on the farm now owned and operated by his sons, James W. and George, and was one of the first settlers in that region. At that time the farm was a wilderness on the South part of Talbot street, in Lot 239, a part of the Col. Talbot grant. Here he built a small log house and brought his family, settling down to agriculture, and with the help of his sons he cleared up his farm, a tract of 164 acres, on which he made many improvements. As early as 1852 escaping natural gas was found on this farm and Mr. Foster had always a strong conviction that this indicated the presence of an oil field, which conviction proved true, for on the same farm in 1896 the first oil was discovered in what has since developed, in 1904, into the present extensive Leamington oil field. There the remainder of his days was spent, and farming was his life occupation. He attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years, a strong, active man to the last, and died, full of years and honor, Aug. 21, 1877; he is buried in Lake View cemetery, at Leamington.
Mr. Foster was a member of the Church of England, and in politics was a Conservative. He was interested in public affairs, was justice of the peace for many years, was a member of the township council, and reeve of the township. He was a volunteer in the British service during the Rebellion of 1837-38, and served as an officer. He was a well-read man and a good writer. Mr. Foster led a true pioneer life after coming to Mersea township, for at the time of his settlement there were no roads or bridges and wild animals, wolves, deer, turkeys, etc., abounded in the forests. Amid such surroundings he reared his large family, all of whom reflected credit upon their training, by their sober and industrious lives. By his first marriage Mr. Foster Became the father of eight children: Ann, born June 7, 1818, on Prince Edward Island, married James Robson. John, born in Nova Scotia, Aug. 15, 1821, married April 12, 1842, Mary Richardson. Thomas, born in Nova Scotia July 29, 1823, resides in Mersea township; he married Oct. 21, 1849, Sarah Scott. Matilda, born in Nova Scotia, July 29, 1825, died in August, 1825, when three weeks old, William Henry, born in Mersea township, County of Essex, Oct. 2, 1827, is mentioned below, Ralph, born March 3, 1830, in Mersea township, is mentioned below. James W., born Sept. 23, 1832, is mentioned below. George, born Jan. 21, 1836, is mentioned below. The mother of these children died May 22, 1867, and was buried in Lake View cemetery. She was a true Christion woman, a loving wife and mother, and shared with her husband the trials and hardships of pioneer life, proving a willing helpmate. Mr. Foster married (second) Dec. 27, 1868, Ann Dennis, who after his death moved to Ohio.
William Henry Foster, son of Ralph, was born in a log cabin on the home farm on Talbot Street, and attended the little log school with its slab benches, taught by a teacher who in these days could not get a third-grade certificate. It was a subscription school, and the children attended three, six or twelve months. Mr. Foster remained at home with his parents until of age, helping his father clear up his farm, and after reaching his majority he rented the homestead and operated it for four years, after which he bought a tract of land on the Leamington side road, in the 5th Concession, Lot 6, 100 acres of bush land, the purchase of which involved him in debt. He built a small log house containing only one room, and thither he brought his young wife and settled down to farming. At that period there was no Leamington side road, there were no bridges or roads, and no other inhabitants near where he settled. He cleared up the farm and put the land under a good state of cultivation, and in 1876 he built his present home, a brick dwelling house, which was the first of the kind in that section. Mr. Foster was one of the pioneers in tobacco raising in his section, and he made a thorough success of farming. He bought a 200-acre tract in Tilbury West township, which he divided with two of his sons. After carrying on the homestead for over a quarter of a century he turned over the management of the farm to his son Reginald, who is now operating it. During his active life Mr. Foster worked hard to clear up his farm, and experienced many of the inconveniences of pioneer life, traveling some distance to get flour, tea and groceries in those early days. Leamington was not yet founded. He always supported the Conservative party, but is an independent, and votes more for the man than the party. Though not an office-seeker he has filled the offices of tax collector and assessor and school trustee, and took the census in the township twice. His habits are strictly domestic, and he is temperate in his tastes, never drinking or using tobacco in any form. Mr. Foster was baptized and confirmed in the Church of England, but after his marriage he became a member of the Methodist Church, and he was one of the organizers of the Mt. Carmel Church, in which he has filled the office of trustee, recording steward and class leader.
On March 9, 1851, in Mersea township, Mr. Foster married Sarah Ann Crow, Rev. William Boyer performing the ceremony. Mrs. Foster was born in London, England, March 11, 1830, daughter of Joseph H. and Sarah Ann (Wilshire) Crow, both natives of London, England, who came to Canada in 1850, with their family, and settled in Gosfield township, County of Essex. Mr. and Mrs. Foster celebrated their golden wedding March 9, 1901, and many of their friends attended on that occasion. They are still active, enjoying the best of health, and are much devoted to one another. Mrs. Foster possesses a refined Christian character, and has proved a loving mother and wife. She is a member of the hit. Carmel Methodist Church.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster: (1) Henry, born Dec. 8, 1851, married Chloe Minnis, and resided in Leamington, Ont. He is a carpenter and contractor. (2) Edwin, born Feb. 6, 1854, is a farmer in Tilbury West township, County of Essex. He married, June 1, 1881, Mary Hannah Dresser, and has one son, Orly. (3) Reginald, born Nov. 10, 1856, operates the homestead. He married, June 8, 1879, Margaret Laird, who died April 24, 1890, aged thirty-nine years, and left five children, Byron L., Rowland, Everett B., Stanley and Floyd. For his second wife Mr. Foster married Elizabeth Wilson. (4) Sarah Ann, born July 2, 1862, married Dec. 31, 1883, James Rolfson, of Walkerville, and has one son, Orville. (5) Laura Jane, born Jan. 13, 1865, died March 13, 1868. (6) Charlotte Josephine, born July 1, 1867, married, Oct. 23, 1889, Nelson Doyle, and resides in Merlin, Ontario.
Ralph Foster, Jr., son of Ralph, and brother of William Henry, was born in Mersea township, on the homestead, March 3, 1830. He attended the little log schoolhouse in which his brothers also received their training. Preferring a professional life to that of a farmer, he gave him self to hard study, and while working on the homestead with his father, helping to clear up the farm, splitting rails, etc., studied hard. His early ambition was attained when he received a third-grade certificate, and he taught his first school in Romney township, County of Kent. He also taught his home school. But not content with a third-grade certificate, he continued his studies, and after saving a little money went to Toronto, where he attended the Normal school, and where his ambition was rewarded with a second-grade certificate. He returned to the home school and taught for two years, but he was a man of high spirit and one who knew his position, and when a dispute arose between the school trustee and. himself he threw up his position. Returning to the Normal school at Toronto, he took up further study, and obtained a first-class certificate, after which he taught in Macville, County of Peel, and township of Albion, and from many places where he taught he was presented on his retirement with an address and a present by the pupils. These are now in the possession of his widow, who treasures them, and among other things there is a handsomely bound Bible. Besides the places previously mentioned Mr. Foster taught five years at Blytheswood, and three years at Olinda, and in the schools of Leamington, where he acted as principal, spending in all upwards of thirty years in the school room, which he loved faithfully and well, and to which he gave his entire attention. He bought a tract of land on the 5th Concession, where, in February, i883, he built a fine brick dwelling house, at a cost of over three thousand dollars, retiring to that place when he gave up his profession, and spending the remainder of his life in farming. He taught his last school in No. 4 school section, for which he struggled hard to have established. He died at his home Jan. 9, 1894, after a seven weeks’ illness, and was buried in Lake View cemetery. Mr. Foster was a scholar, a man of refined tastes and culture, and was the first young man in the township to take up the profession of teacher. He became converted at the age of twenty-seven years, and from that time until his death led a Christian life. For many years he was a member of the Wesleyan Church, and when the union of that church and the Methodist took' place he still attended; but when a rupture took place he joined the Presbyterian Church at Blytheswood, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He performed the duties of Sunday-school teacher, and was superintendent of the school, and quite active in all church matters. He was a stanch Liberal in politics, but never sought nor accepted office, though he was trustee of school section No. 4. Socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, joining the lodge at Kingsville. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance, and a stanch temperance man, and was a member of the Patrons of Industry. He was a domestic man, much devoted to his wife and children, a good neighbor, and a friend to all who needed assistance or advice.
Mr. Foster was married, in Mersea township, Oct. 29,. 1858, by Rev. Thomas Atkinson, to Ann Whealy, who was born Aug. 6, 1836, in County Huntingdon, Quebec, daughter of Thomas Whealy (Sr.) and Margaret Dowler, of County Huntingdon. Mrs. Foster has proven herself a willing helpmate, and much of her husband’s success in life is due to her, for she made many sacrifices that he might succeed, helping and encouraging him in every way. He sought her advice in his every undertaking. She was devoted to him during life, and still cherishes his memory. Mrs. Foster is active for her years, and a good Christian woman, a member of the Presbyterian Church, attending at Blytheswood. Mr. and Mrs. Foster had three children, viz.; (1) Thomas Jefferson Jackson, born Nov. 16, 1862, at Albin, County of Peel, Ont., married Priscilla Minnis, daughter of John Minnis, and now resides in Gosfield township, where he is engaged in farming ; he has two children, Addie and Raymond. (2) Laura Victoria, born Nov. 6, 1864, at Albin, County of Peel, was a school teacher. She married George Switzer, and resides in Maidstone township. They have three daughters, Pearl, Viola and Ethel. (3) Arilla, born in Mersea township, May 18, 1867, married Rev. Benoni Gibson, a pastor of the Methodist Church of Osseo, Michigan, and their children were, Floyd M., Essie A., Ivan S., Effie G., Roy DeL. and Leon E., the last two deceased. Mrs. Foster is now living on the homestead, esteemed and beloved by all who know her, rounding out a Christian life in the calm enjoyment of the love of her children and the memories of a happy, useful life.
James W. Foster, farmer and stock raiser, was born on the Talbot Street farm Sept. 23, 1832, son of Ralph and Ann (Wilthew) Foster. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, and he attended the little log school, where the teacher was paid for by subscription; still later it became a free school. Working hard from early boyhood, he remained on the homestead with his parents until his father retired from farming, when he rented the place, operating it until his father died, when it was divided between himself and his brother George, James W. taking the part on which the old log house stood. Here he has been ever since engaged in practical farming and stock raising, and he is still active, though now over seventy years old. He put up a fine brick dwelling house, and made other improvements on the farm. Mr. Foster has always been a stanch Conservative, and an admirer of the late lamented John A. Macdonald. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Leamington, and socially he holds membership in the A. F. & A. M. lodge at Kingsville, to which he has belonged for over fifty years; he is a member of the A. 0. U. W., at Leamington. He was a member of the cavalry under Capt. Theodore Wigle, and served five years, he is a man of domestic tastes, and his habits are temperate and exemplary.
In 1859 Mr. Foster married, in Mersea township, County of Essex, Sarah Jane Derbyshire, daughter of George and Mary Derbyshire, and seven children blessed this union, namely: (1) George Collingwood, a resident of Leamington, married Mary J. Newcomb, and has five children. (2) Mary A. has been housekeeper for her father since her mother’s death, and has proved a most devoted daughter. She is a member of the Methodist Church of Leamington. (3) Eliza Matilda married George W. Jackson, of Leamington, and had four children, two of whom are deceased. (4) Euphemia married Frederick De Laurier, of Leamington, and has three children. (5) Rose E. married Frederick Harrison, a baker of Leamington, and has five children. (6) Clara Annie married Albert Evans, a farmer of Mersea township, and has two children. (7) Louis died in infancy. The mother of these children died Aug. 22, 1877, and was buried in Lake View cemetery. She was a good Christian woman, reared a creditable family, and was much devoted to her husband and children, leaving nothing undone which would add to their comfort and happiness. Indeed, in this respect, the entire family have emulated her example in their devotion to each other’s interests.
George Foster, like his brothers, was born on the homestead farm, and attended the log schoolhouse. He worked on the home farm from early boyhood, meantime attending the school near Lake Erie, in the township of Mersea, taught by an Irish schoolmaster named Otter, who was a soldier in the British army. He remained on the homestead with his father, and when the homestead was divided obtained the eastern half of 164 acres, on which he built a dwelling-house, and which he has been cultivating ever 'since. He was among the pioneer tobacco growers in this section, and has ever been noted for his thrift and industry, as well as his integrity. Early in June, 1904, the Natural Gas and Oil Co. bored for oil on his premises and now have four producing wells, and are sinking two more. He is a man who has the respect of all who know him, for his honest and upright character. He is a Liberal in the very best sense, broad-minded, and though not an office-seeker does not neglect the duties of a good citizen, and has served as school trustee of his section, No. 2, for six years, taking a deep interest in education. He is liberal and broad-minded in his religious views, preferring the Golden Rule as his motto. He was one of the first members of the Agricultural Society.
Mr. Foster married, in Mersea township, May 12, 1861, Elizabeth Scott Derbyshire, daughter of George and Mary Derbyshire, and sister of the late Mrs. James White Foster. Children as follows came to this union: Ida Ellen, died young. Clotilda is at home. Mary Amelia mar-
ried (first) Robert Laird and (second) Mack Roach. She resides in Leamington. Norman Scott, a tailor, resides at home. Ella Britomarte married Robert Winters, and resides in Leamington. Colin Elmer died young. Bertha died when six months old. The mother of these children suffered from heart trouble for several months, and died suddenly in her husband’s arms Nov. 18, 1899; she was buried in Lake View cemetery.
Mrs. Foster was a true Christian woman, devoted to her husband and children, a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and was deeply mourned by many besides her husband and children. Mr. Foster has a taste for music, is a performer on the violin and the clarionet, and was leader in the band at Leamington for four years, and clarionet player in same, his son, Norman Scott, has also become a performer on the clarionet, under his father’s tuition, and has taken his place in the Leamington band. In 1862 Mr. Foster joined the Canadian Volunteers and served six years under Capt. T. M. Fox; he was also stationed at Windsor as guard for eight weeks during the Fenian Raid.
EDWIN FOSTER, son of William Henry Foster, of Mersea township, is a well-known and prosperous agriculturist of Tilbury West, where he has been actively at work for a quarter of a century. He was born on Talbot Street, in Mersea township, and his education was all acquired under the primitive conditions incident to the old-time log sehoolhouse. He remained at home with his parents, assisting in the work of the home farm until he attained his majority, when his father purchased for him a tract of one hundred acres on the township line of Tilbury West, near the village of Staples. His first efforts in making this a home were expended in the erection of a log house, and then he began to clear the land for cultivation. Under his father’s careful tuition he had acquired a practical knowledge of the work before him, and he started systematically to work. As his land became better adapted to the plow, and the financial returns for his labors more abundant, he made extensive improvements, the log cabin being replaced by a substantial and commodious brick dwelling, costing about $2,500, and the original outbuildings gave way to modern structures. He is industrious and thrifty, and the neat appearance of his farm is but tangible evidence of his methodical habits. The success he has attained has been well deserved.
In Mersea township, Air. Foster married Mary Hannah Dresser, daughter of the late William Dresser, and granddaughter of the late George Dresser. To this union has come one son, Orland, born Sept. 6, 1884, now attending high school. Mrs. Foster is a lady of refined
taste, and an artist of ability. She is devoted to her home, and much of her husband’s success may be attributed to her sympathy and co-operation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members oi the Methodist Church at Staples, and are active in the work, he being a trustee and steward of the Church, while Mrs. Foster was super-intendent of the Sunday-school one year, and is assistant this year, and is also a most efficient teacher in the Sunday-school. Mr. Foster is a school trustee at Staples, and he takes a keen interest in all progressive measures, being ever ready with time and means to do a good citizen’s duty in improving and advancing his town and county.
The Commemorative Biographical Record for the County of Essex, Ontario, by J.H. Beers & Co., 1905, pp 412-416
|
