My Genealogy Hound

DAVID A. FOSTER, who is now living a retired life, and is one of the pioneers of Randolph County, was in early years a progressive farmer of township 4, range 5, and rose to a prominent position in agricultural affairs. His fine estate, located on section 31, he has divided among his children, and is now living retired from active work.

Robert Foster, the father of our subject, was a native of Abigail District, S. C., where his birth occurred February 13, 1785. Grandfather Samuel Foster came from Ireland, and when a young man located in the above place, where he remained until death. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Susan McClinton, was also a native of South Carolina, her birth occurring in 1793. She came to Illinois in company with her father, John McClinton. The latter was a native of South Carolina, and after coming to Randolph County, made his home in the old Irish settlement near Preston.

The father of our subject removed to this state in 1807, and the following year married, and located on what is now known as the John Shuline place. When he took possession of the property it was one unbroken stretch of brush and timber, but by means of inexhaustible energy and good business judgment he cleared the land and resided upon it until his decease; February 12, 1821. His good wife, who became the mother of nine children, died in 1829. Of that large family only two are now living: William, who makes his home in Sparta Precinct, this county; and our subject. The deceased are Samuel, John, James A., Parmelia, Elizabeth Jane, Nancy, and one who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, the father of our subject married Sarah Kell.

Our subject was born January 13, 1822, on the old homestead in this county, where he attended the pioneer subscription schools and was reared to manhood. Having been doubly orphaned when nine years of age, he made his home with his eldest brother until reaching his fourteenth year, when he began life on his own account. His first work was in Sparta, where he was employed in a butcher shop, receiving for his services $1 per day.

In 1844, David A. Foster married Miss Rebecca M., daughter of Hugh C. and Nancy M. (Askins) Gault, natives respectively of North Carolina and Virginia. They were living in Tennessee at the time of their marriage, and removed to Illinois in 1831, locating on section 18, township 4, range 5, Randolph County. After residing there for many years they removed to Eden, where their decease occurred. Mrs. Foster was born January 17, 1823, in Lincoln County, Tenn., and after her union with our subject, moved into the little log house on section 18, in which they continued to live until 1850. In that year Mr. Foster removed to section 31, where his wife’s death occurred February 23, 1884. Had she lived three days longer she would have completed the fortieth year of her wedded life.

To our subject and his wife were born nine children, seven of whom are living. The first death in the family occurred in 1880, when Miss Minerva, a young lady of nineteen years, departed this life. Nancy, the wife of Hugh Clark, is also deceased. Those living are, Robert, William S., John C., Samuel McClinton, Mary E., Susan E. and Hattie F. Our subject’s fine estate, which comprised one hundred and twenty acres, has been divided among his children, with whom he makes his home. He is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church. He is President of the Sparta Precinct Department of the Old Settlers’ Association, and has been a member of the Good Templars’ order for many years. He takes an interest in political affairs, and has always voted the straight Republican ticket. He has frequently been a delegate to conventions, and May 4, 1863, was one of three sent to represent Randolph County in the State Union League held at Springfield.