My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM FOSTER, one of the honored pioneers of Randolph County, who is now engaged in farming in township 5, range 6, where he owns and operates two hundred and twenty acres of good land, is a representative of one of the earliest families of this community. The Fosters are of Scotch descent, and the family was represented in this country in a very early day. The grandfather, John Foster, was a native of South Carolina, and the father, Robert Foster, was born February 13, 1785, in the Abbeyville District of South Carolina, where he lived until nineteen years of age, when, in 1804, he emigrated to Randolph County, Ill., settling near Evansville. He there made his home until his death, which occurred February 12, 1831. His remains were interred in the Kelly Cemetery. By occupation he was a distiller. In politics he was a Democrat, and in his social relations he was a Mason. He held membership with the United Presbyterian Church, contributed liberally to its support, and took an active part in church work. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susanna McClinton, was born in September, 1791. She was a daughter of John McClinton, and died December 6, 1829.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs/ Foster was celebrated in 1809, and they became the parents of eight children: Sam, born January 15, 1810; John, September 25, 1811; James A., March 9, 1814; Permelia, in June, 1816; Elizabeth J., in October, 1818; William, of this sketch, October 4, 1820; David A., January 13, 1822; and Nancy, February 9, 1826.

Upon the old homestead William Foster lived until 1829. He then went to the home of his uncle, Sam McClinton, with whom he remained for nine years. On the expiration of that period he began working for Dr. Farman, of Sparta, and afterward was employed in a mill for a year. At the expiration of that time he went to Red Bud, where he continued for eleven years. In 1844 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land at $10 per acre, and began the development of a farm. He made it a valuable and desirable place, and continued its cultivation for a quarter of a century, when he removed to his present farm, comprising two hundred and twenty acres of highly improved land.

Mr. Foster was married March 14, 1844, to Amelia Rolls, a native of Randolph County and a daughter of Edward and Jennie (Hill) Rolls, who were born in South Carolina. The family originally came from Ireland and settled in Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster were born four children. Edward, born in 1844, is a farmer; he married Nancy Tompie, and they have one son, Charles. John R., born October 17, 1846, married Maggie Watson. James, born June 27, 1851, and Emily Jane are deceased.

In 1862 Mr. Foster entered the Union service as a member of Company I, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry. After a time he was discharged on account of ill-health. Later, however, he re-enlisted in Company C, Eightieth Illinois Infantry, but was again discharged. After the battle of Ft. Donelson he served as nurse to the wounded soldiers for fifteen days. Although he was not retained in the service, he manifested his loyalty to the Government and the Union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he served as Trustee for some time. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the Good Templars’ society, and the Union League. On starting out in life for himself he worked for twenty-five cents per day, but by diligence and good management he won success, and became the owner of three hundred and seven acres of good land. A part of this he has since disposed of, but he still owns two hundred and twenty acres, which yield to him a golden tribute in return for his care and labor.