My Genealogy Hound

Edmund Foster, one of the most prominent citizens and largest farmers of Springfield township, Oakland County, located on a well cultivated and finely improved farm of 305 acres in sections 25, 27 and 36, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the county. His parents were Frederick and Ann (Parker) Foster, natives of Kent, England, who came to Michigan in 1837.

Horatio Foster, the grandfather, was also born in Kent, England, and settled in Springfield township, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1837. He was a carpenter and joiner and followed his trade in connection with farming and officiated in numerous local offices to which, as a man of probity and good judgment, he was elected by his neighbors. He died in Springfield township at the age of 65 years, leaving five children, namely: Mrs. Mary A. Harris; Horatio; Samuel; Frederick and John P.

Frederick Foster was born April 19, 1822, and at the age of six years accompanied his parents to America, living with them for nine years at Utica, New York. In 1837 the family came to Oakland County by way of boat to Detroit and by team to Clarkston station, where the father took up 40 acres of government land and built a cabin. After trying to make there a good farm, and not succeeding very well, as the land was poor, in 1852 he removed to Springfield township. He bought and occupied four farms, which now belong to our subject. Although he made a few financial mistakes, he became in the estimation of most of his fellow citizens the wealthiest man in the township. He was a man of the highest principles, — honest, reliable and straightforward — one whose judgment was consulted and advice taken in all important public matters. In politics he was independent, and voted for the man whom he thought best qualified for the duties of the office. His death took place at his beautiful home in Clarkston, which he had occupied for 12 years, in April, 1800, and he was buried on his 77th birthday anniversary. He was a man whose memory should be preserved in the annals of Springfield township. He married Ann Parker, who was born in England and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Parker. Five children were born to them, the four who grew to maturity being: Edmund; Frederick H., who died at 23 years of age; Mrs. Adelaide L. Beardslee, of Michigan; and Clara S., a lady of culture and travel, who resides in the beautiful family home in Clarkston, where the mother died July 5, 1902.

Edmund Foster was born in Springfield township, Oakland County, August 20, 1846, and has always made his home in that locality. He is a very extensive farmer and cattle raiser and is known through the county as one of the largest and most reliable breeders of Red Polled cattle, Shropshire sheep and Duroc-Jersey hogs. Formerly he was an extensive wheat grower, but lately has given more attention to other products, raising annually 1,000 bushels of oats, 1,200 bushels of corn and 400 to 600 bushels of potatoes. His seven acres of apple orchard help by 400 barrels to swell the great apple yield of the State, while his small fruit brings in an extremely large income. He has fine accommodations on his farm for his live stock and the great yields of his land, while his home is one of comfort and attractiveness. Mr. Foster, like his father, is a man of affairs and is frequently called upon to settle up estates and to take charge of the interests of minors, and much of his time is devoted to Probate Court work.

On December 22, 1871, Mr. Foster was married to Alice Anderson, who was born in Springfield township, Oakland County, and is a daughter of John W. and Ann (Moore) Anderson, the former of whom was born in New York of Scotch ancestry, and the latter in New Jersey. Three children have been born to them, namely: Anna G., now a trained nurse, who was formerly a successful teacher, being a graduate of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti; Fred H., now interested in work in some copper mines in Arizona, who attended the State Agricultural College at Lansing for three years and is a very good business man; and Edith A., who is a student in a college at Lansing. The members of the Foster family are prominent in all social and agricultural movements in the locality and are most highly esteemed on every side.