New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10

| Charles Foster Of Fostoria was born near Tiffin
| Ohio. April r. 1928. His ancestors were OF New
England descent. In 1882 the family went to
Northwestern Ohio, to the region known as the
! BLACK swamp" and settled at Rome, now Fos-
Ior!a. Tley lived in double log cabin in one end
OF which the father kept general store. lie also
engaged in the real estate business, and was large
ly instrumental in building up the place which
took his The began going to school
when only four years old. but he early showed
/ liking for the business OF the store, in which much
OF his time spent At the age of twelve he
went the academy at Norwalk, Ohio but two
years later he called home by sickness in the
family, and thereafter devoted himself TO his
fathers business At eighteen he partner
and a year later took entire charge OF the store,
I md transacted the largest country business
in Ohio attaining much success. He was actite
in the war in raising troops and accepted the COM
rnaud OF the l01st Ohio Regiment. but at the So
ucitation OF his parents. who had other surviv-
ing children. he remained out Of active service. In
1851 his business was enlarged TO include bank. OF
which he became the manager a grain and produce
store and a hardware store.
Mr.. Foster ardent and active Republican.
| and early 1883 he nominated in his
sence from home and elected State Senator. but
defeated by the action OF the Democrats In
one county. who threw out the soldier In 1870
he elected to Congress IN r. district that had
been largely Democratic. Not much was heard OF
Mr. Foster during his first term IN Congress. but
elected. attra attention by his readiness In
an encounter OF words provoked by General B. +.
Butler A few months later no went 20 Louisiana
as a member OF investigating committee, and he
joined with William Walter Phelps in minority
report upon the situation Of affairs there. 1874
ne again carried his district and IN 1876 he
his fourth victory. In each OF these four contests
the Democrats carried the district for other candI
dates by majoritics ranging from Sc to 1900 but
they could not overcome Mr.. Fosters popularity.
Ia ha only Republican member from Ohio
who voted for the electoral count bill which
suited in the election OF President Hayes. Under
/ the Democratic gerrymander IN 1873 Mr. Fosters
home county thrown into n stronger Demo-
cratic district. The Republicans OF the With
District nominated him, but he declined. preferring
| to make the fight IN his district the With.
He was defeated by only 1855 plurality and less
than majority although the district had given
Tilden $40 plurality IN 1876. While in Congress
Mr.. Foster for Il long time a member OF tho
nominated for Governor and was elected by
plurality OF 17,1Z9 and a majority OF 1852 His
nomination made by seven and half votes
over Judge Taft, and his Democratic opponent
General Thomas Ewing In the campaign the Dem
ocras called Mr.. Foster Calico Charley" but the
epithet derived from his business. proved BOOK
erang. and calico became the badge of the cam
paigu II was used for decorations public meet
ings, bands were dressed in 1t. necltes were made