New-York tribune., 1895-12-12
WILLIAM +. FOSTERS LIFE.
ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT NOTABLE
BUSINESS CAREER
HIS KIND CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS AMPLY
SHOWN IN HIS wILI,-THE DETAILS OF THE

HIS KIND CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS AMPLY
SHOWN IN HIS wILI,-rHE DETAILS OF THE
DOCUMENT NOT VET MADE PUBLIC.
The forecast which Tho Tribune was able to give
yesterday OF the late william +. Fosters Will.
whereby ii shown that In making bequests to
his employees friends and dependents ne had dis
played those charitable instincts which he had so
often unostentatiously manifested in life naturally
otcasioned joy and gratitude In many quarters.
Although the number ard nature OF the bequests
and the identity OF the bcneGciaries are for the
present not TO be made public. the correctness OF
the general outline of the will published yesterday
IL undisputed. The document has not yet been filed
for probate. but when this formality has been
pleted and the provisions OF the will made known,
It is sald Mr. Fosters consideration for others gen.
erosity and kindly nature will be- amply shown.
The more that knowledge is obtained of Mr..
Fosters life story. the more notable Is the example
he exhibits Of man emerging from sudden ad-
Nersity, handicapped as he was by physical aftc-
tion, and rising 10 affiuence through sheer force
OF energy and business ability. When the Chicago
fire left him not only poor man. but saddled with
a heavy load OF debt which he unable for
time TO rid hmself Of Mr.. Foster was not dis
couraged. Casting about for means to regain his
former place In the commercial world. he invented
new fastening for gloves by which lacing device
was used Instead Of the old buttoning method This
was patented In 1896 and the inventor tried vainiy
his idea. In Chicago, where first displayed his
fastener, ms patent was fidlculed, belis even
source OF amusement to the trade. Mr.. Foster him
self aid not lose faith in It. and. coming 10 New
YORK ne succeeded IN getting one or the leadlng
glove houses 10 recognize the advantage OF me
aclng patent. II used only IN small quantities
by TINS irm, however, and Mr.. Foster, dissatisfied
win The results, sought another channel through
which to get his device on the market.
During tne time he was IN business In chicago
Mr. Foster acted as the agent there Tor the Ailie
winch Thomas Russell d co. were the New OK
representatives. This firm was eventually induced to
years time. the business had grown to such proper
lions that It could not handed by the young con-
Germ ana licenses were granted to other hrns 10 use
About lSs2 the popularity Of the fastener de- de-
used in the lacng to catch in s.eeye Innings, and
for the following three years Mr. Foster devoted
oS on 10 experments. he at last devised nook
that overcame all objections In order to handle
the increased business that resulted from this tue
firm was in 1888 turned INTO corporation Ike
most inventors Mr Foster was hVoVed h,dh ~ nuSn b
had 10 tight TO retain his rights were many ana
varied II IS noteworthy that he was suceessiui IN
each. IL is a glowing testimony also TO his genial
ity and attractive characteristics that has OPP
ponents in these cases were Invariably among his
Mr Fosters c.ose attention in looking after
matters OF detail was exemptihed IN many Ny ways
to which his fasteners were afterward attached
lie decided some years ago that he would make
his own gloves For this purpose he established
factories in Berlin and Grenoble, and for two
years he lived n Europe personally superinte4adi- nd
business Upon his return 10 this country when
he decided 10 begin the erection OF his splendid
dwclling-house in Riverside Drive, he rented a
house N the Immediate neghborhood or the site,
so that he might be near al hand TO give ms per
sonal supervision to the work OF construc tlon Inc
design of this house was copied from an old chateau
he nad seen in Italy. In setting the ife1mlnarieS
for the erection of the house according TO the
plans he had brought from Europe. he found that
the material Of which the outside stucco Is made
in Italy would not stand the rigors OF the Ameri-
can climate Many deliberations with architects
and builders followed and finally II was decided
that iron was the only material with which the
stucco could be initiated. Iron consequently
used, although the graceful lines OF the exterior
of the house do not indicate the fact to the casual
observer.