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WILLIAM FOSTER. There is something interesting to everyone in the history of a man who, having fought in the battle of life, has gained both honors and wealth for himself and has retired to the peaceful enjoyment of the closing years of his existence. The morning of life is the time for playing, the noon for working, and the evening for resting, and happy is the man who enjoys all these rights and privileges.
Our subject resides on section 3, of Chatham Township, surrounded on every side by comforts. He is a son of George and Sarah (Miller) Foster, and was born in Clark County, Ky., March 15, 1822. His parents removed from the Blue Grass State to Sangamon County, Ill., in the year 1826, settling on Lick Creek. He passed the first years of his life on a farm, but his father died when he had reached his sixteenth year, leaving his mother with the charge of eight children, and William being the eldest in the family managed the home farm and remained with his mother until 1846, at which time he enlisted in the Mexican War in Capt. Morris' company in the Fourth Regiment, commanded by Col. E. D. Baker. They left Springfield in September, 1846, and were ordered to report in Mexico, being transported thither via New Orleans and the Rio Grande River and landed at Del Norte, where they remained about two months. They were next ordered to San Chilla. Our subject remained in Mexico until the close of the war, and after returning to Illinois took up the management of his mother's farm once more.
Mr. Foster was married on September 20, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Shutt, daughter of Jacob Shutt, and a native of Kentucky. She was born November 22, 1827. To this union were born nine children, all of whom are living at the present writing, viz: George, who married Miss Maggie Young and resides in Chatham Township; William P., who married Miss Ella Darrow and makes his home in Adair County, Mo.; Jacob F., is single and lives with his parents; Sarah E., married Henry Bivin and lives in Chatham Township; John D. and Leonard G. are single and live at home; Marion E. is also at home; Eva J., who married Simpson Williamson, makes her home in Madisonville, Ky.; and Charles H. is single and with his parents.
Our subject has continued to reside upon the same farm where he now lives since his marriage. This farm embraces three hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land. He has accumulated all this property by his industry. In politics he is an ardent Democrat and takes great interest in public matters whether relating to national or local matters. His mother is still living in Sangamon County, and at the ripe old age of ninety continues in possession of all her faculties. Mr. Foster was hunting deer at the time of the famous snow storm in 1830, but reached home safely and gives very entertaining accounts both of that and the Mexican War. He is very highly respected and much liked by all who know him, and surrounded by home comforts and the love of a charming wife and loving children is passing the afternoon of life in Christian peace and happiness.