The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-09
COL. r. w. FOSTER
neath OF q Prominent and Public
SPirl'eo citizen of Wilmington.
He Passed Away Yesterday After
noon at 4:5O O'Cuock-Interment .t
81

a c-CD
p. m. at his home, 10 Moth Sixth
street.
"a June Colonel Foster was taken
sick and later in the summer q severe
ease of jaUndice developed tn t proved
exceedingly obstinate. In August he
went TO Lincoln Lithla Springs. Lin
eolnton. y. c., and returned home
during the first week m September very
much improved in health. He was able
10 give attention to MS business and
went about his work with his usual
ardor and brightness. Two weeks ago
however. he had an attack that caused
aim to take to his bed and he was never
again able to leave It. A COMPLICATION
of troubles had set III that ultimately
resulted in his death.
Colonel Foster was born at Canton.
Pa. February IS, 1910, and consequently
was in the G3rd year Of his age. He was a
federal veteran and was connected with
the cOmmissary department With Gen.
eral Terry's troops operating on the
y. c. coast during the latter part
or the war. He was at the battle of
Fort Fisher in January 1865, ana after
Wilmington fell he was stationed here a
year or two. When tie WAY was over
he decided to remain IN North Carolina,
and went to Bladen County where he
was Interested in the :nmbel business.
With associates he conducted 4 saw mill
at what is now known AS YOrkville, a
name which he gave che placc. He also
engaged in mercantile business at
ElizabethtOwn and did 9 large and sue
cessful business. Whit, i resident of
Bladen he was elected To the legislature
on the republican ticket. n St rived one
or more terms. In 1879 ne went to CAL
ifornia and after spending a couple of
years there came back to North Caro-
lima and located in Wilmington about
1873 He was hen in the United States
revenue service and invested largely in
real estate. He was elected 4 member
Of the board of aldermen III 1878. and
while serving on the board was the
originator and chief promoter of the
movement that developed the Clarendon
Waterworks- In 1896 ne was chairman
of the board of commissioners of New
county.
From 1873 to 1885 Colonel Foster gave
ais attention to his real estate interests
aFa in 1885. with Mr.. J. A. Fore as Il
partner. he established the Fore & Fos-
ter Planning Mill, Sash anG Blind Com
paHy. From that tima to this he de-
voted his attention to the Company's
tnHtnrU 1Opnfn6 Of Tho inT1r-nofinn II
Sixth street with the tracks OF the At
lantoc COas Line. The for
years has done a large business in the
manufacture of doors, sash blinds,
staircases. m~ouldings. etc. lie did Il
very large business, both foreign and
domestic. his foreign business being
principally with the British West
Indies, Bermuda. etc. Several years ago
he established a saw mill at Castle
Haynes with a view to furnishing
lumber for the factorJ in this city.
Colonel Foster was 2 man of enter
prise and push and was successful in
all his business undertakings. He was
u public spirited man End always took
the Iiveliest interest i'll everything tor
n industrial development of Whining
ton. AS the head OF one Of our most
important industrial enterprises, his
death will therefore be 4 great loss to
the community.
He was a liberal. generous and warm
hearted man and MANY q good deed is
down to his account. though he never
made 4 show of his generous deeds and
practical sympathy for those whom he
would benefit. He was d strong friend
to the Wilmington division naval re-
serves. and annually made = liberal do
nation to its support. besides adding
other favors from time 10 time and
heartily aiding the division in every
way in his power. One OF his gifts to
the reserves was a large and very n
some United States silk flag which the
division highly prizes. 80 Lis generos-
ity and interest in the reserves they
elected him an honorary me nber and
during his illness the members have
daily and anxiously inquired after his
condition. As a mark OF respect to his
memory. the division Will be present at
the funeral this afternoon
Colonel Foster married Miss Gertrude
S. Hall, of WinstOn-Salem. and she
survives him with one son. Nr d. Rus
sell Foster. who has anout attained his
majority and is 4 student al the North
Carolina college of Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts. at Raleigh. Mr.. Foster
has been home in attendance at his
fathers bedside. The deceased also
leaves a brother and two sisters. Mr.. NJ.
r. Foster. Mrs. Clara VanDyke. and
Mrs. Sarah E. VanDyke. of Canton. "a.
The latter has been here a foI might to
be with her brother IN his last illness.
The deceased also has a niece residing
in Wilmington, Mrs. Roger Moore. for
merly Miss Calribel Vanpyka- The
bereaved family has :he sincere SYM
pathy of our community in their be-
reavement.
The funeral will take place this after