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The Foster Family History
This family has dwelt so long on the earth that some one has said
(not irreverently, we hope) that "God made Adam and Eve,
and then Fosters." They trace their beginning to Flanders,
in the year 837, where lived Anocher, great forester who exercised
the honorable calling of the warden. In those days this was an
important office, forestry protection and preservation being the
constant care of the old Flemish markgrafts. The early English
home for the Flemings was in Northumberland, England, Richard
Forester having been the first to cross the English Channel with
William the Conqueror. William married the famous Flemish beauty,
Maud, sister to Richard Forester.
Sir John Foster went on one of the crusades and saved the life
of English King Richard at Acre, in 1101, and his thrifty Flemish
soul was made glad by royal tokens of gratitude. The hereditary
home of the Foresters was at Bambough Castle, Farm Island, off
the rugged coast Northumberland, which later was the scene of
the daring efforts of the heroic Grace Darling. They were lords
of Blanchard, knights banneret, lords warden of the Middle Marches,
high sheriffs of Northumberland, and governors of Bambough Castle.
There is a continuous line of twenty-three generations traced
from Anocher, great forester, to Reginald, who with his wife embarked
for America in 1638. The name is written both Forster and Foster,
and represent two different and distinct families, but no doubt
having common ancestor. The Fosters are as numerous as the leaves
of the Forest, after which they are named and are everywhere found
where language is spoken. They have been credited with large families;
one foster had twenty-one sons and daughters gathered around his
table. Four hundred and eighty three of the name were in the war
for independence; one hundred and fifty were graduated from New
England colleges up to 1900. The arms of the English family: An
arm in armor embowered holding in the hand a broken tilling spear
proper. Motto: "If broken, still strong". The roll of
honor is a lengthy one in the United States and includes Bishop
Foster of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Chief Justice Foster,
Governor Foster of Ohio, Stephen Foster the sweet songwriter of
"Old Kentucky Home", and others equally popular, and
a long line of men in every walk of life.
Reginald Foster came early to America and founded the Ipswich
Branch. Christopher Foster came from England in the ship "Abigail"
in 1635, aged thirty-two years. He settled at Southampton, Long
Island about 1650. He had wife, Frances, and sons, Nathaniel and
John. Many, descendant of Christopher, settled in New York State,
in Onodaga County and central New York Counties.
(I). The branch in Marcellus, Onodaga County New York, cannot
be traced beyond Allen Foster , but it is thoroughly indicated
that he came from the Long Island family founded by Christopher
Foster. He was born February 22, 1778; died June 1, 1855. He lived
in Marcellus several years then came to McKean County Pennsylvania,
where he was one of the early settlers along Lewis Run in Bradford
Township. He took up a tract of land, cleared a farm, and made
his home there until death. He married Patience Earl, born February
13, 1784; died October 18, 1869. Children- Annie Lewis, born April
21, 1803, died December 26, 1893; Ephraim, January 22, 1805, died
August 26 1896; Charlotte Hood, 1807, died 1890; Patience Whipple,
1809,died in 1893; Eli; David E., of whom further; William, October
4, 1823, died February 20, 1911; Isaac, September 21, 1826, died
in 1897.
(II). David Earl, son of Allen Foster, was born in the town of
Marcellus, Onodaga County, New York, September 21, 1817, died
october 29, 1879, at Lewis Run, Mckean County, Pennsylvania. His
early life was spent in Monroe County, New York, on the banks
of the Genosco River, south of Rochester, N. Y. Here he received
his education and learned the details of a farmers life. He was
a farmer all his life in New York and Pennsylvania. He was a Republican
in politics, and both he and his wife were charter members of
the Bradford Baptist Church. He married (first) in June 1848,
Susanette Dieter, born February 21, 1830, died April 24, 1870.
Children: David Van Rensaler, William Earl, John Dieter, George
Washington, and Alva A. He married (second) September 19, 1870
Lavorna Sill, born near Ellicotville, Chautaugua County New York
June 22, died at Broadhead, Wisconsin, April 10, 1889, daughter
of Hiram still, who settled in Mckean County, Pennsylvania, later
going to Cuba, Allegany County, New York, where he died at the
age of eighty-eight years in 1909. Children of second marriage:
Charles Eldon; Hirem A.; Francis M. and Lewis A.
(III). George W., fourth son of David Earl and Susanette (Dieter)
Foster, was born August 11, 1855, in a log house on his father's
farm, on which he settled when coming into the county in the early
days. This farm was located near the place now called Lewis Run
Pennsylvania. He was reared on this farm at an early age took
an active part in clearing same to render it fit for producing
the crops which supplied almost the entire food supply for the
family. He was given the benefit of a common school education,
the schools at that time being of a very primitive nature, but
he being of a studious mind and having a strong determination
to succeed in whatever he undertook, acquired more than an ordinary
education under these conditions, not having an opportunity for
school exceeding three months in any one year, and this during
the winter season. At the age of twenty he was planning to go
to the Western country to seek his fortune, but on account of
all oil excitement breaking out in Bradford at the time, which
offered good opportunities to young men both for labor and investment
he gave up his plans for the west and went to work in the oil
fields. In a short time he became interested as a producer and
was quite successful in this line of business. In 1895 George
W. and Charles E. Foster engaged in business together and as their
first venture organized the Tuna Valley Pressed Brick Company,
capitalized at $80,000.00. This company was brought to perfection
and put on a paying basis in the year 1894, C.E. Foster being
vice president and G.W. Foster, treasurer of the company. Since
that time these two brothers have operated together in the brick
business,in which they have been very successful, having successfully
organized and established the following companies: Olean Pressed
Brick Company, Olean, NY,; Allegany Valley Brick Company, Olean,
NY.; Kittanning Clay Products Company, Kittanning, Pa.; Upper
Kittanning Brick Company, East Brady, Pa.; Youngsville Brick and
Tile Company Youngsville, Pa.; Pearl Clay Products Company, Kushequa,
Pa.; Binghampton Paving Block Company, Binghampton, Y.Y. and the
Foster Paving Block Company, Bradford, Pa. In all these companies
George W. and Charles E. Foster have held positions of president,
general manager, treasurer and secretary, which office they still
hold in several of these companies and in which companies they
are directors. Besides these Brick interests the Messrs. Fosters
own quite valuable oil and gad interests, as well as being interested
in other manufacturing industries. They have their general offices
in the Auerhaim Bldg., Bradford, Pennsylvania. It is through these
offices that they conduct most of their business.
Mr. George Washington Foster for a number of years has been quite
active in religious work, and is an active member of the United
Brethren Church of Lewis Run, Pa., and also an active worker in
the Hill Memorial United Brethren church of Bradford, Pa., being
teacher of the men's class. He has built for himself a strong
reputation as a religious worker and is a man of sterling quality
and integrity along business lines.
At twenty-six years of age Mr. Foster married Sarah A. Ingalsby,
(daughter of Renaldo & Eliza (Root) Ingalsby). Their children
were Gerald W., Lloyd I., Clara V., Myrtle I., Georgia E., and
Beulah.
Mrs. George W. Foster died August 20,
1890 as a result of a surgical operation leaving Mr. Foster with
six small children. Since both Mr. and Mrs. Foster's parents were
dead and George W. Foster had no sisters, he had no one to depend
on for caring for his children. However he succeeded in keeping
them together in his home until Nov 15, 1891 when he married (second)
Cora I Jennings of Bradford, Pa. (she was the daughter of Albert
D. and Elizabeth Lucretia Jennings who came to Bradford from Candor,
Tioga Co. N.Y. Mr Jennings died at the age of 32 years and Mrs.
Jennings died at the age of 50 years. Children: Albert born September
11, 1892, Paul Van Rensaler born April 18, 1894 and died April
11, 1896, Louise Grace born June 1, 1898, Dorthy Veronica born
January 12, 1902, and George Parker born September 1, 1908. All
children of both marriages born at Lewis Run on estate which was
taken up by Mr. Foster's father when he first came to McKean Co.
Charles Elden (Son of David Earl & Laverna Sill Foster) born
at Lewis Run Pa. January 16, 1875, education obtained in Bradford
Public Schools then attended Cuba N.Y. public schools. He later
entered Leander Clark College in Toledo, Iowa - one of the first
graduates after is was renamed from Western College. He graduated
in 1906. His studies were prosecuted with a view to the ministry
but instead of a professional life he chose a commercial life
engaged in brick manufacturing in Bradford. He was a republican
candidate for mayor of Bradford in 1911. He was an active member
of United Brethren Church and was interested in all good works.
On June 5, 1894 he married Leona May Nippert whom was born at
Petroleum Center, Vernan County, Pa. on April 12, 1872. (daughter
of Frederick Nippert and Catherine Plaffn) Children: Dewey born
April 10, 1898 at Hillsboro Wisconsin and Dwight born November
20, 1900 in Toledo Iowa.
Larned Sampson Foster. Born in Townsend Mass. March 25,1792 died
June 13, 1882. In 1827 moved to Pa, settling in McKean Co, at
Fosterbrook, Foster Township, Pa. - both places named in his honor.
He owned a good farm and was a man of influence in his county.
He was a veteran ot the war of 1812 enlisting in 1814 and serving
several months in Mc Combs reserves.- Married March 7, 1817 Betsey
Hinds. Their children all born in Bradford except Corliss Hinds
who was born in Yorkshire Center.
Children of
Larned Sampson and Betsey Hinds Foster:
Bfd. = Bradford, McKean
Co., PA
(1) Asenath Sophronia.
Her name could be Sophronia
Asenath (born March 29,1822 died in Bfd.
1907 - married Aug. 19, 1811 ( mistake ) SHOULD BE 1841 )
J. Buchanan - farmer of Bfd., Born Warren Co. Pa. March 28, 1842 ( has to be mistake
) ( see childrens birthdates ) SHOULD
BE 1811 ( check out Family Tree Maker CD #5 , tree 1791 ) died in Bfd March 19, 1895.
J. =( JONAS )-note 2 & 3-
Found
his name to be : JONES Buchanan in Beers Biography at : )
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pamckean/mckeangenealogy.html
( you have
to go to 2nd page of Foster Township
Children: of J. Buchanan & Asenath Sophronia:
1
Mary Elizabeth born Mar
7, 1842 died in Bfd Oct 31, 1894
2
Lucy born Sept 1843 died De. 18, 18 1861.
3
Julius Corliss born Jan. 4, 1846 - enlisted 42nd (Bucktail) Regiment
Pa. Volunteer Infantry - captured in battle and confined in Salisbury
prison where he died of starvation Jan 15, 186x. http://www.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Historical_Museum/DAM/mg/mg234.htm
4
Thomas Jefferson born Sept 16, 1847 married Mary Morse of Jamestown
N.y. -
Children :
(1) Foster M.
(2) Harry
5
Rebecca Rossville born Sept 8, 185?, married Sept 4, 1896, F.F
Bennett of Erie Pa.
6
Russell born January 13, 18?? ,married in 1876, Anna C Brook:
Children : (1) Grace, (2) Florence, (3)
Roy. (4)
Helen Amelia born Feb 2, 1859 living in
Bfd.
2
Larned Buckminster born Nov 14, 1824 died 1909 - he moved west
engaging in lumbering and farming - married Rhoda Ann Degolier
- children (1) Leone (2) Dille both living in Wisconsin.
3
Corliss Hinds (Hon) Foster Sept.
25 , 1826 married (1st) March 1, 1845 Auphemia
S. Snyder (daughter of William Snyder)
Children :
(1)
Charles Corliss Foster , born Dec 10, 1846 Died Jan. 4, 1899,
married Oct 25, 1876 , Hannah M Coon of Friendship NY.
Children
1
Anna Belle Foster
2
Effie Janet Foster, born Oct 5, 1877 married Oct 4, 18??
Otis Kingsbury - a cheesemaker of Farmersville NY now living in
Marion Michigan.
3
Cinlian Melvin Foster, born Aug 8, 1849 married and reside in
Marion Michigan: children : (1)
Edith, (2)
Effie , (3)
Agnes , (4)
Corliss, (5)
Clinton , (6)Grace.
4 Emma Eliza born April 6, 1852 married Lewis A Smith of Otisville
NY who died in the state of Idaho where his widow now resides
- Child 1Corliss foster - 5 Clinton Hinds born August 9, 185?
now living in Altoona Pa.
Corliss Hinds Foster married (2nd) Evelina Melvin (5th child of
John Folson and Lucretia Farr Melvin) born Oct 10, 1837 Hindsdale
NY. Died February 1912 educated in Bfd. Public Schools Bfd Academy
and Weslwyan Seminary, Genesee, NY. Married Oct. 31 1870 - Evelina
an honored resident of Bfd an prominent in Social Life. Hon Corliss
Hinds Foster born in Watertown, NY. Sept 5, 1826 died in Bfd.
Nov. 16, 1898, Grew to youthful manhood on father=s farm at Fosterbrook
received good education in public schools - early in life became
engaged in lumber business- One of largest and most successful
producers of McKean Co. Field. Prominent in public life - member
of Bfd School board - treasurer of McKean Co. - Auditor of the
Co in 1877 and 1898 Elected member Pa house of assembly - Republican
- attendand of Presbyterian Church Honored member of Masonic order.
(4) Rebecca Susanah - Born Sept 27, 1828 died 1908, married Hill
Atkins- children: Viola married William Booth - chidren Eliza
Celia and Hervert.
Lena married William Griffith
3 children.
Ellen married Frank Gould children
Ray, Gladys, Frances,
Larned Sampson died March
1, 1899 leaving five children - Mary married William mcewin two
children - Ida married Mr Herbert Child Paul E.
(5) Martha Adaline born Jan. 21, 1831 died in 1905 married in
Bfd , Feb 18, 1847 Arthur Buchanan born in Warren Co. Pa. Sept,
25 1819 -children born in Bfd. Orto or Otto born Aug. 14 184-
, died Mar. 24 1884, married Mar. 20 1879, Ella Ruttledge - children
: Inez - Alice & Arthur.
Irene, born Nov.
1, 1849 , married Nov. 28, 1871 John Whipple of Bfd. children
: Herbert , Adeline , Ester, George.
Janet born
Aug 14, 1851 married Dec. 18, 1869 Thomas W Mount children: Charles,
Nelson, Robert, Nora, Edwina, Milo, Calvin & Effie.
Florence
E., born August 2, 1859 married (first) January 12, 1879 , George
W. May died Oct. 12, 1879 :child Clarence,
married
(second) Wiliam Barnes of Bfd. Della C. born May 21, 1864 married
Eugene Holcomb - Minnie born May 3, 1866 Elwin A. Born April 19,
1870 married February 3, 1894 Lilly B Shields child Edna.
(6) Abel Alonzo born Dec 11, 1832 died in Bdf Jan. 24 1898 married
Malvina Snyder - also deceased no issue
(7) Elihalet Darius born Dec. 3, 1835, married Ellen McMurray-
born in Dumfrilshire Scotland Jan. 11, 1842 -
children
born on Bradford. : (1) Henrietta born March 31, 1862 married
Nov.13, 1888 A. C. Marsh of Washington Pa. , Children Vida Ellis
and Helen. (2) Viola born June 4, 1863 died in Bfd March 1, 1889
married in Nov. 1885 Joseph Ellsworth. (3) Frank James born Jan.
29, 1865 married Sept. 3, 1885 May Furgeson and resides in Fosterbrook
- : children Fred and Clarence. (4) Jessie born Sept 11, 1869
married Nov 4, 1896 James Dranly (Disney) and resides in Fosterbrook
: child Miriam. (5) Effie born Oct 16, 1876 married in Bfd May
13, 1898 George Greer : child Helen.
(8) Ambrose Gilman born August 18, 1838 died May 13, 1864, enlisted
in 1861 in Penna Bucktail Regiment served out his term of enlistment
but before being discharged was engaged at the battle of Spottsylvania
when he was wounded and died the next day.
NOTE 1 =Asenath ( Sophronia Foster )
http://www.familysearch.org
4 entries
NOTE 2 =Jonas ( Buchanan ) same familysearch.org 1 entry
NOTE
3 =
Buchanan , Jonas -Unknown -WFT 9- WFT Volume 9, Tree 3291
NOTE 4 = Exerpt: JONES BUCHANAN, farmer, P.O. Kendall
Creek, a son of Andrew L. Buchanan, was born in Warren county,
Penn., March 28, 1811......from : https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pamckean/mckeangenealogy.html