My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. FOSTER, the popular treasurer of Cortland County, is a native and a resident of Homer village. For a number of years past he has been the head of a large insurance business, and though he is included in the list of Homer’s younger citizens, he is exceedingly well known and respected. Mr. Foster came into the world at Homer, September 11, 1862, and is a son of John Foster, who was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, England, in 1821.

John Foster, who at this writing is one of the most prosperous and successful farmers of Cortland County, residing at Little York in the town of Homer, was the eldest son of James and Margaret Foster. His father died when John was a small boy, and the responsibility of rearing him and his two younger brothers, James and Isaac, devolved upon his widowed mother. She was left in poor circumstances, and was soon obliged to find homes for her boys among the neighboring farmers. This she succeeded in doing to her entire satisfaction, and John grew to manhood on a farm, and learned the calling of a farmer in an experienced school. His educational advantages, however, were nil, but as his record well proves, he succeeded far better than the vast majority who are born under the most auspicious and affluent circumstances. He continued at farm labor in his native country until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when, in 1847, believing that the New World afforded a better field for an ambitious young man, not afraid to work and never known to shirk his duty, he left England and embarked for America. He landed at Castle Garden in New York City, and soon after located at Truxton, this county, where he spent three years as a farm hand, after which he rented and operated a farm for four years. During these years he had been a faithful and diligent worker, and by careful and economical habits had accumulated considerable money, sufficient to enable him to purchase one of the best farms in the county. He accordingly in 1854 purchased his present farm, which contains two hundred acres, ninety of which are well improved and under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Foster united his fortunes with those of Jane Miller, a daughter of George Miller, who lived in Cortlandville. Ten children made up the family of this excellent couple, seven of whom grew to maturity, as follows: James, a farmer of Homer: George, who runs a meat market at De Ruyter; Isaac, who is engaged in the banking business at Spokane, Wash.; William H. of Homer, whose biography follows this; Anna, who became the wife of Millard Nye, a farmer of Preble, Cortland County; Edward, a farmer residing with his father; and Arthur, a shoe merchant of Homer. Mr. Foster has always been a strict adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and reared his family according to the precepts of the Church of England. Starting in life with little or no educational advantages, and without means, Mr. Foster’s history is a striking example of what a young man, possessed of the necessary pluck and perseverance, can accomplish. He has made his own way in life, unaided by friends, and is now enjoying the comforts that invariably come as a reward for the well-spent, industrious life, honored and respected by all who know him, and who have learned to appreciate his many excellent traits of character.

William H. Foster attended the common schools of his native town, and took a two years’ course at Homer Academy. He was a bright student and attained educational qualifications that enabled him to become a very successful teacher at the very early age of sixteen. He toiled through the summers on the farm, and taught winters for five consecutive years. In 1887 Mr. Foster formed a partnership with F. C. Atwater of Homer village, and engaged in the drug business They continued this line for several years with growing success. Finally, in 1896, they disposed of all their interests in the drug business, which then amounted to a good deal, to C. H. Skinner & Co., who now conduct the store. During the time that they were associated together, the partners had worked up a fine general insurance business, and when they disposed of the store, Mr. Foster retained this interest, and has developed it farther, until it takes all the time he has to spare aside from his official duties. He has a splendid field, and carries one of the largest lists of good reliable companies of any insurance man in the vicinity. In January, 1898, Mr. Foster was appointed agent for the United States Express Co., with office at Homer, N. Y. How popular an official Mr. Foster is, is best shown by the fact that when his first term as county treasurer had expired in 1896, he was re-elected for another term with scarcely a show of opposition. He has very marked talent for handling anything of a business nature. His executive ability is of the best, and he manages his office with an attention to details and a courtesy to the public, that mark him as the proper kind of an official.

Margaret J. Crofoot, daughter of Wellington Crofoot of Homer, became the wife of Mr. Foster, and to them one child was born, whom they named Donald. Besides being an exceedingly active and useful member of the Republican party, Mr. Foster is prominent in social and fraternal circles. He is a member of the Homer Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the I. O. O. F. In the relations of daily life he is very affable and genial. As a citizen he is eminently public-spirited, and in business is clean-cut, accurate and upright.