My Genealogy Hound

Rev. W. R. Foster, a member of the White River Annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and pastor of the church at Auvergne Station, is a native of Madison County, Tenn., born September 16, 1828. His parents were Elijah B. and Ann (Smith) Foster, natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively; the father a farmer, and an energetic and prosperous man, emigrated to Tennessee when a young man, and there married. He was magistrate of his county for several years, and died January 20, 1845, his wife surviving him nine years, and departing this life in March, 1854. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Our subject is the eldest of six children: W. R., Sarah E., Harriet A., Fannie T., Julia P. and James L. Foster. W. R. was raised and received his education in Lauderdale County, Tenn. In 1851 he professed religion and joined the above named church. In December of the same year he came to Mississippi County, Ark., with his mother, where he was engaged in the wood business on the Mississippi River for two years, after which he moved, with his mother to Phillips County, Ark., where she departed this life in the faith of the Gospel. He engaged in farming for two years, and was licensed to preach on the 24th of August, 1855, by the Walnut Bend Quarterly conference, Helena district, Stephen S. Carlisle, presiding elder. In September, 1856, he was admitted, on trial, in the Arkansas Annual conference, as a traveling preacher, and was appointed to Salem Mission, where he had good success for a young preacher, about 144 persons being converted to the Christian religion, and some 200 added to the Church of God. At the close of that year (1857) he was appointed to the Lawrenceville circuit, where he met with some success, about sixty being brought into the church. In the fall of 1858 he was appointed to the Smithville circuit, where he had a good revival of religion, over 100 souls being converted. In the fall of 1859 he was appointed to Greensboro Mission, which he served two years with good success. Jonesboro was then a young town, and one of his appointments. In this town he preached the first sermon heard there, in a livery stable, and organized the church in that (now) city. In the fall of 1861 he was appointed to the Walnut Bend circuit, where he was licensed to preach. The war was on, and but little was done in the work of the ministry. In the fall of 1862 he was appointed to Batesville Station and circuit, where he had a good revival of religion, all over his work. While on this work he was captured by the Federal soldiers, and was held in prison one month. While in prison the annual conference was held, and he was appointed to the Strawberry circuit. In the fall of 1864 he was appointed to the Smithville circuit, and for three years he served this work with happy results. In the fall of 1867 he was appointed presiding elder on the Yellville district, laboring with good results for three years. In 1870 he was transferred by Bishop Keener to the White River conference, and was appointed to Searcy Station, at which place he met with some success. In the fall of 1871 he was appointed to the Osceola circuit, where he served two years as pastor. In 1873 he was appointed presiding elder on the Mississippi district, which work he served four years with acceptability. In 1877 he was appointed to the Helena district, where he served two years. In 1879 he was appointed again to the Mississippi district, where he served the church four years longer. In the fall of 1883 he asked Bishop Granberry to relieve him from district work and give him a circuit. The request was granted, and he was appointed to Jonesboro circuit. The fall of 1884 he was appointed to Greensboro circuit, the fall of 1885 to Pleasant Hill (now Larado circuit), and in 1886 to Harrisburg circuit, and on this work he labored two years, with great success. In the fall of 1888 he was appointed to Auvergne Station. Rev. W. R. Foster was ordained deacon by Bishop Early in September, 1858. On account of the war the Bishop could not meet the annual conference, and he was not ordained elder until September, 1866, by Bishop G. F. Pierce. He was married, to Miss Mildred E. Barker, on the 11th of December, 1857, she being a native of Robertson County, Tenn. To them have been born six children: John C., Matilda A., William R. (died in early childhood), Dixie L. (a young lady of twenty-four years), Ida B. (seventeen years), and Minnie P. (eight years). Mr. Foster is a member of Jonesboro Masonic lodge; also Jonesboro Royal Arch Chapter, and of R. & S. M., Harrisburg Council. He was made a Mason in Ritchman lodge, in Cotton Plant, St. Francis County, Ark., in 1858. He is now closing up his thirty-third year’s work in the ministry, all in the State of Arkansas. He never has been a supernumerary, nor a superannuated preacher, and he loves the itinerant ministry today as he loves his own life. Many have told him they would be stars in his crown when they get home to Heaven.