Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-14

years was admitted to the bar in this
county. |. f. McFadden. Larkin Dunton
L. l.. D., and e. r. Drummond. taking
their examinations and being admitted al
the same time.
He then settled down in this city to
practice law. having his office in the ole
Waterville bank building. 1t was at this
time that his real struggle in life began
AS is usual with young lawyers, having
neither capital or influence behind them
the clients began to come in slowly
During this period of his life. the way
seemed dark and long and with neither
money or influence. there seemed nc
opening for him. In spite of this he stuck
TO the business for a number of years.
insly unequal struggle, he made up his
mind TO leave. the city and would have
gone had it not been for friends who
came to his assista nee. Encouraged by
this assistance, he continued the struggle
and from that time his luck seemed to
change and business began to increase
through his hard and conscientious work.
until finally he became one of the lead
ing lawyers in Watervile.
During the time he was practicing law
in this city he had a large number of law
students in his office. many of whom
have attained distinction in the State.
brook of this city, Judge Stewart of
Houlton, State Librarian Carver of Au-
gusta, and A. F. Waldron.
In public affairs he was one of the most
very conservative. When the move was
made to develop the water power in the
river, he was one OF the leading men in
the movement and it was through his
push and perseverance that the move was
finally carried through AT one time it
locked as though the move would fall
through on account of the lack of CAPT
tal 1t was then that he stepped forward
and with George A. Phillips contributed
enough to insure the success of the PLAN
Later move was made to change the
location of the Maine Central car shops
the company wanting more room for its
plant. At that time Bath and Brunswick
We're both making bids for the location
Of the plant in those places. Through
the efforts OF Mr. Foster and others the
tract of lard now used by the railroad
as car shops was secured and the plant
retained in this city.
1T was while these moves toward the
Improvement of the city We're being made
that he invested largely in real estate.
When the boom commenced the value of
his property began to go UP. and in this
way he amassed considerable property.
May 16. 1870. he was elected trustee of
the Waterville. savings bank. Two years
later he was elected president of the in-
stitution. succeeding William Dyer. -Four
years after he was elected president of
the bank. the Influence of the panic of
a few years previous began to be felt
and the bank found it necessary to sus-
pend operations. Mr.. Foster at once took
hold of the business affairs of the bank
and the same push and perseverance that
carried him through his own private diff
ficulties when he was starting in BUSH
ness pulled the bank through the iinan-
clad crisis until today it is one of the most
stable institutions in the State.
Politically he was always Republican,
only once deviating from this principle in
the slightest degree. That was when he
consented to run on a fusion ticket and
become a candidate for mayor. While
he was a Republican,. he was SO strictly
nom partisan in the administration of
on to act as moderator whenever any
question of moment was to come before
the town meeting. Although a RepubM-
can he was held IN the greatest respect
by the Democrats and never once in any
public affair was he guilty of a breech of
the trust imposed in him.
In 1866 he was elected as representa-
serving two terms was made speaker OF
the house in 1870. In 1871 he was returned
TO the Legislature as senator and was
elected president of the Senate in 1871.
When the move was started to make
Waterville a city he was vigorously OPP
posed to the plan. At that time there
were several factions. and on account of
The ability he had shown in managing
the affairs of Waterville as the town he
was nominated for mayor and elected by
l good majority.
Soon after serving his term as MAYOR
he retired from public life and during, the
latter part of his life has lived more an
nome than ever.
In his business affairs he was VERY ex-
act and the soul of honor. Every cent
he owed a person he paid in the most
prompt manner and on the other hand hga
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