F. F. Foster

F. F. FOSTER. The gentleman whose name heads this record is a highly esteemed and respected citizen of Labette county, Kansas, and stands in the front rank of the representative agriculturists of Labette township, of which he is a pioneer settler. He is an ideal farmer, and owns a fine farm. It consists of the north half of the southeast quarter of section 23, Labette township. Mr. Foster has been a farmer all his life, with the exception of a short time spent at railroad work. Mr. Foster is one of three children born to 0. H. and Laura (Bobbitt) Foster.

O. H. Foster, who is a farmer, was born in Virginia in 1826, and came from a prominent Virginia family. His wife is also a native of the same state. Their children are George B., F. F. and Emma. George B. is a minister of the Gospel and is at the present writing connected with the University of Chicago.

F. F. Foster was born in 1858 in West Virginia, where he attended the common schools. When twenty-two years old he began to make his own way in the world, and started in quest of a more suitable location. He drifted into the West, and finally joined a party of surveyors. These he assisted, during a period of eighteen months, in surveying the Santa Fe railroad route through the state of Texas. In 1882 he came to Kansas, and spent the following year in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company. He then began farming, which has been his life work. Being greatly pleased with the state of Kansas, Mr. Foster decided to locate here permanently, and with that intent purchased his present farm in Labette county, in 1895. There he has carried on general farming and stock raising over since. He has improved and beautified his farm, and it is now in a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Cora Lane, who was born in Illinois in 1870. One son, Dwight, blesses their home. In politics, the subject of this sketch is an ardent Populist, and is now serving his second term as trustee of Labette township, having also served as clerk. He is a valued member of Altamont Lodge, No. 244, I. 0. 0. F., and also of Altamont Lodge, Woodmen of the World. Mr. Foster is enterprising and progressive, and is deeply interested in the welfare and development of his county; he is an honest, up right citizen, a good neighbor, and commands the respect of the entire community.