History of Fostoria, (Seneca County) Ohio United States of America

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Charles W. Foster was born in Brookfield, Worcester county, Massachusetts, November 21st, 1800. His father, William Foster, was also a native of Massachusetts; his grandfather held a colonel's commission in the revolutionary army, and was at Saratoga when Burgoyne surrendered. William Foster was a farmer and stock dealer, and when Charles was eighteen emigrated to New York, and settled in Genesee county, near Rochester, where he died in 1829. Charles received a common school education, and for some years after his majority was engaged in boating on the Erie Canal. On June 7th, 1827, he married Louisa Crocker, daughter of John Crocker, of Cambridge, New York, and the same year moved with his father-in-law to Seneca county, Ohio, settling first in London township. They were among the first settlers in that region, and had the usual experience of pioneers. In 1832 they entered some 2000 acres of land in an adjoining township and laid out the town of Rome, and soon after opened a store. In 1852 the town was consolidated with Risdon, adjoining, under the name of Fostoria. They located there with their families, built a saw mill in 1834, and a grist mill in 1836, making that point a centre, and soon drawing a large trade from adjoining settlements. The business house then established with a capital of $2000 has continued with Mr. Foster as its head, and now has a capital of $75,000, while its transactions in merchandise, grain, pork, etc., amount to more than $1,000,000 annually. This remarkable success has been attained by strict adherence to the principles of honorable dealing; in all this long period he has never been a party in a contested lawsuit. In 1846 his oldest son, Charles Foster, was taken into the concern, and in 1854 the commodious business block, which they now occupy, was built on the original site of the first store. In 1864 a banking business was started in connection with the store by Foster & Co., and is still in successful operation under the efficient management of J. E. Wilkison, cashier. To Charles W. Foster and his son, Hon. Charles Foster, their enterprise, foresight, and generous aid to all progressive movements, is the recently isolated inland town of Fostoria indebted for its present position and its promise of continual growth. Few would have persevered undauntedly for forty years in a struggle that many would have regarded as hopeless. Indeed, there are few instances of success in Ohio as marked as that of Mr. Foster. With the exception of R. W. Shawhan, of Tiffin, there is not one of his contemporaries who in 1832 was engaged in merchandising and is still pursuing the business. Notwithstanding his very active life, he still enjoys vigorous health, and retains to a remarkable degree that cheerfulness and joviality for which he has always been noted. He has had six children, only one of whom is now living--Hon. Charles Foster. This son was born near Fostoria, April 12th, 1828. He was educated at the common schools and the academy at Norwalk, Ohio; joined his father in mercantile and banking business, as above related. He never held any public office until elected to the Forty-second Congress. His services in that body deservedly secured him re-election to the Forty-third and Forty-fourth. He is a Republican.

From: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Ohio of the Nineteenth Century. Columbus, OH, USA: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1876.

History of Fostoria, (Seneca County) Ohio

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