My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Foster J. McAdoo, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel at Bolivar, Mo., is the son of Rev. Levi P. and Ellen (Harper) McAdoo, both natives of Huntington, Tenn., the former of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter of German. The parents were married in Tennessee, and there remained until 1831, when they moved to Greene County, Mo. The father was a Cumber land Presbyterian minister, though he followed merchandising for several years. About 1845 he moved to Laclede County, and, when the war broke out, he enlisted, and served as hospital steward in the six months’ service. In 1862 he enrolled Company I, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and was elected captain, but resigned in June, 1863. He then returned home, and lived a quiet life until about 1875, when he received his final summons. The mother is still living, and is about seventy-five years of age. She is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Masonic order, was a Whig in politics, but afterward became a Republican. Their family consisted of ten children, eight now living, three sons and five daughters. Capt. Foster J. McAdoo was the fifth child in order of birth, and first saw the light of day in Greene County, Mo., March 18, 1841. He assisted his father on the farm and attended the old subscription schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the Home Guards, and was chosen first lieutenant. In September of the same year he was captured near Tuscumbia by the Confederate forces, kept a short time, and was then paroled. In the spring of 1862 he entered the quartermaster’s department as clerk under Capt. Bentley Owens, and, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, being mustered in as second lieutenant, and soon after rose to the rank of first lieutenant. In the spring of 1864 he was made captain of his company, and led the company at, the capture of Little Rock and Pumpkin Bend. He was also in the battle of Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Ark., and at Wilson’s Creek, Mo. He was also at Brownville and Bayou Meto, Ark., and was never taken prisoner, nor was he reported on the sick list but three times. He was discharged at St. Louis in August, 1865, and returned to Laclede County, where he held the offices of sheriff and collector for five years. While sheriff he captured the notorious robber, Bud Taylor, but had to kill him in so doing. January 16, 1862, he married Miss Mary E. McMenus, a native of Laclede County, Mo., and eight children were born to this union, six now living, three sons and three daughters. In 1878 Capt. McAdoo moved to Dallas County, and, in 1888, to Polk County, where he farmed and dealt in stock until May of the same year, when he began keeping hotel. He is a strong supporter of schools and all enterprises pertaining to the good of the county, and both he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the G. A. R.