Arizona weekly miner., 1876-04-07
Death of Graham P. Foster.

Our entire community was shocked on Mon
 day evening last by telegram announcing the
 death of our townsman, Graham P. Foster, Esq,
 which event occurred on the Sd instant in San
 Francisco, California. Although the news was not wholly unexpected, as MT. Foster has recently been at the point of death. still we hoped he was yet 10 be spared, sas recent dis patch stated that his symptoms were more favora- ble. For the past year Mir F. has suffered from i disease of the heart, and last Summer went to San Francisco where, by change of climate and treatment by skilled physicians, he improved wonderfully, and returned in tue Fall 10 Pres cott looking remarkably well and with every | hope of recovery. He had been here but short time when he discovered that it would be impos- sible for him to live in such high altitude, and as the symptoms Of his malady were developing rapidly he again went to San Francisco, since which time he has had the most skilful treat ment known to medical science, which only sue ceeded in keeping him comfortable. His suf- ferings at intervals have been intense. His wife and children went to San Francisco and wore with him during the last few weeks of his life. Graham r. Foster, the subject of this sketch. was born at Palmyra, Wayne Co.,, N. r., Feb. 2sth
 
 parents to Lyons. Early in life he evnccd an inclination for the Sea, and upwards of 20 years of his life were spent on shipboard. In 1866 he joined Humanity Lodge No. 406 F. and A. M., at Lyons, and has ever since been a jealous mem- Der of the Order. In 1861 he entered the U. S. service during the rebellion, and was Acting Master of the gun-boat. .Scota, which was among the fleet in the memorable naval engagements at New Orleans and Vicksburg in 1862. MT. Fos- ter was faithful to what he believed to be his duty, which he discharged with unhnching courage. He distinguished himself for personal bravery at the seige of Vicksburg. He was or dered by the It. Commander of the gun-boat Sciota to go with a boats crew to one of the other vessels, entrusted with an important com. mission which he executed returning in safety right under incessant fire kept up by the enemy. It soon became necessary to make second trip, when the Commander asked him if he would go. Mir. F. replied, I always obey orders" The Commander then said, "I do not order you" "Very well, I'll volunteer to go." And he immediately manned boat, made the second trip, returning in safety,-an undertaking as perilous as the escape from shot and she'll wds miraculous. After being in the service 15 months he contracted fever and returned an | invalid to his home in Lyons, N Y. In 1884, | with a view to recover his health, he took | charge ofa merchant ship sailing from New | Bedford for the Sandwich Islands; returning the | year following he abandoned seafirng life and | in 1871 came to Prescott Three years later he | returned to the East, brought his family and | took up his residence among us; since which | time, by his many good qualities of head and | heart, he has won the. respect and esteem of all | with whom he came in contact. He was mem- Der of the Village Council and tne of the Trus- tees of our school, always taking an active inter. est in all affairs which tended to the growth and prosperity of Prescott. He was man noted for his generous impulses, and in his death UT com. nunity has sustained an irreparable loss.
 Mir. Foster leaves wife and three sons-ope 'on grown up, and two younger hardly old though to fully realize the great loss they have sustained. He was devotedly attached to his amily, an attachment which such natures as his 'nly are able to appreciate. The heartfelt sym 'athy of this whole community goes out to them n this the time of their sad bereavement The oss of man like him will be deeply mourn- d and his memory will long remain green.