SurnameFirst NameObituary
FosterThomas JFoster, Thomas J. - Thomas J. Foster is dead. He was one of those men whose passing away is not only a loss to their families and friends, but to the entire community in which they have resided. The name of Thomas J. Foster is a household word in this community. Everybody knew him - the young, the middle-aged, the old and the stranger within our gates heard of him soon after arriving here. That is because of his business, his characteristics, his association. He was a busy man, identified with everything that tended to the up building of La Porte, besides having large interests of his own to look after. As one business man expressed it, "Tom was for every man and every man was for Tom." His characteristics were those of being enterprising, public-spirited, charitable. Besides having large interests here, he was the owner of 1,120 acres of land in Dakota which, in addition to being very fertile, was well stocked, and he was likewise agent of the great Rumely manufacturer of this city. These things gave him a wide acquaintance. Socially he stood high. He mingled with the best of people, yet he did not despise the poor, the humble, the needy. In the social circle, in business circles, in political circles, he was prominent among the prominent. His death may be said to have been sudden and unexpected. As recently as early yesterday morning his case seemed to take a favorable turn, but after that hope died away and death appeared inevitable. This latter fact, however, was known as a general thing, only by his physicians and attendants, so that to the public his demise seems sudden indeed. He was bedfast just a week, being attacked with intermittent fever, the disease passing to his brain, resulting in congestion of the latter. He was unconscious over twenty-four hours, dying at 12:40 this morning.

Thomas J. Foster was the son of Thomas and Lusetta Foster, was born in this county in 1842, and was consequently fifty years of age. His father died the year of his birth. His parents were natives of Onandaga County, N.Y., coming to this county in 1840. Thomas was sent east where he was raised by an aunt, returning to this county when eight or nine years of age. He lived on a farm and learned to work with his hands, being at one time employed by the late Fleming Reynolds, one of La Porte County's well-known farmers. Thomas was not afraid to work, and being of an independent turn of mind he early developed that self-reliance which tended, in after years, to render him the successful man that he was in every undertaking to which he turned his attention. In 1860 he drove oxen across the plains to Colorado, and in the following year opened a small stock of groceries just two blocks east of where his well-known store now is, afterwards moving to the latter location, which became a landmark, as it were, in the city. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Drummond, daughter of James Drummond, one of the oldest and best known citizens in the county. He was elected on the Democratic ticket in 1876, to fill the office of county treasurer; was re-elected in 1878, the nomination each time being unanimous. He served three years as secretary of the board of education, and was president of the board at the time of his election as county treasurer.

The success attending his career, "says one of his biographers, is worthy of more than a passing notice. Bereft of the guidance and help of a father's hand, he emerged from his boyhood without the means to improve opportunities or secure education. His capital was his energy, industry and economy, and with these alone he made life a success."

His grocery business, as everybody knows, was extensive and he controlled a large trade. Everyone who had dealings with him regarded him as an honest man. He was a Christian in the full acceptation of the term, joining the Disciple church about the time of his marriage. Although he was what might be called a money-making man he did not strive to acquire money for the latter's sake, but for the good he could accomplish with it. His highest aim was to live to benefit his fellow men. This will account for his charitableness. He did a great deal of good with his means. One who had known him long said he gave away a small fortune. More than one poor family, who purchased groceries at his store, have had a receipted bill forwarded to them because they were unable to pay it when presented. He clothes more than one poor boy from head to foot, and the best of it was he did not let one hand know what the other performed. He was not charitable in order that his deeds might be known of men, but it was thus that he laid up treasures in heaven where the recording angel beholds the smallest deed that is done in the spirit that the Master taught. His rule was church first, business second. He never allowed business to interfere with church work. Deceased never missed the regular weekly prayer meeting when he was well or it was possible for him to be present and the same may be said of preaching service and Sunday school. This is the testimony of his pastor.

His employees loved him, and always felt that they could not do too much for him. He gathered about him young and enterprising men and more than one person who afterwards became a successful business man owes the result to the skillful training he received from his employer, T.J. Foster.

Deceased was very fond of his home, his wife, relatives and friends. He said he was thankful that he was at home during his illness.

Mrs. Foster was greatly affected when her husband's death occurred. She had been under such restraint previously that when his demise took place she was completely prostrated and became delirious. She imagined that she was dying and called for her husband, who, of course, she did not realize was lying cold in death.

Governor Chase and Mr. Foster were bosom friends, and years ago, after the latter had heard Mr. Chase deliver, on one occasion, a funeral discourse with which he was greatly pleased, he expressed a wish to have the governor, who was then plain Parson Chase, deliver the sermon at his (Foster's) funeral.

The funeral will take place Saturday at 3 p.m. from the family residence, Michigan Avenue. Governor Chase will officiate, assisted by Rev. E.B. Widger, and the remains will be conveyed to Bowell's cemetery, Rolling Prairie. Mrs. Foster expresses the wish that no flowers be sent to the house.

Source: Daily Herald, Thursday, July 28, 1892

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