Irvin W. Foster

IRVIN W. FOSTER, one of the most highly respected citizens and well known farmers of Fairview township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Clinton county, Illinois, in 1844, and is a son of William H. and Mary J. (Low) Foster.

William H. Foster, the father of Irvin W., was born in Georgia, in 1804, and moved to Clinton county, Illinois, where he lived until 1851. He then moved to Marion county, Illinois, where he died in 1858. His wife, Mary Low Foster, was born in Washington county, Illinois, in 1806, and her death occurred there, in 1869. They reared the following offspring: George, William, John, and Jennie (Nicolls), deceased; Elizabeth (Nicolls), of Patoka, Illinois; Jackson, a resident of Illinois; Henry C., of Marion county, Illinois; Irvin W.; Scott, of Marion county; and Pamelia, deceased.

Irvin W. Foster, the subject of this biography, was educated in Clinton county, Illinois, and moved with his parents, in 1851, to Marion county, where he remained until 1876. He then located in Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas, where he lived until 1879, and then moved to Labette township. In 1882 Mr. Foster located on his present farm in section 6, Fairview township, where he is engaged in general farming. His farm presents an attractive appearance, and shows the thrifty management of its owner.

Mr. Foster married Mary E. Wall, who was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in i860, and is a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Acker) Wall. Samuel Wall was also a native of Harrisburg, where he was born in 1833; he died in Labette county, Kansas, in 1879. His wife, a native of Harrisburg, was born in 1834, and is now living in the family of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had six children: Lee F. and Anna, of Labette county; Charles, deceased; and Edgar M., Claude R. and Nellie B., of Labette county. The family is well known in the community. Mr. Foster is a Republican, in politics, and belongs to the Anti-Horsethief Association. In 1864 he enlisted in Company E, 136th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., served under General Payne, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in October, of the same year. Mr. Foster and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.