The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-19
CABOT.
Deaths of Two People Well Known in
Town.

Alonzo Merrill Foster passed away at
the home of his son, Harry, on South
Main street Monday evening, Dec %, at
the advanced age of 81 years, after but
few days illness. He was born in
North Calais Jan. 80, 1880, and was one
of a family of IL children of George and
Polly Foster. living at home until 81
years of age. In 1861 he was united in
marriage with Miss Elsie Dudley, and
his brother, Sidney, to Elsie's sister,
Louisa. For l6 years, the two brothers
lived on the home farm, which was
cleared by their father and has since
been known as the Foster homestead"
and up to the present time is still in
possession of one of the grandsons, Col.
Herbert Foster, who is proud to say, ut
was my birthplace Mr.. Foster and
brother were exemplary, prosperous and
successful farmers, as is readily seen by
pasers-by as they look across the broad,
level fields, thrifty orchard, fine sugar
grove spacious buildings, and nearly one
mile of maple trees planted by the road
side, providing shelter for man and beast
from the extreme heat of the day. Alonzo
was deeply interested in modern inn
provements and spent many hours study
ing into and testing new inventions,
some of which he brought to completion.
He was among the first to introduce the
use of a span of horses to take the
place of oxen on the farm; deciding TO
use an evaporation, instead of the caldron |
kettle of his fathers day, in order to
produce satisfactory results in the man /
ufacture of sugar and later put the fin ,
ishing touch on sap spouts which have
become so widely known as the Foster T
spout" He was entrusted with nearly /
all important town offices, and in 1864
and 1865 was chosen as a representative
of his native town. In 1867, he sold out
his interest in the home farm to his /
brother, Sidney came to this town and
purchased the Thomas Lyford farm, con-
tanning 100 acres, which he brought to
high state of cultivation and which con-
tanned one of the finest sugar orchards in
town. Here were seen the first painted
sap buckets. BY the roadside stand
many maple trees, planted by his hands,
now furnishing cooling breezes to the
weary traveller. In 1894 and 1895 he was
chosen to represent Cabot and held other
important offices Seven years ago he
was bereft of his companion and has I
never ceased to mourn his loss. Three
years ago he came to this village to live
with his son, Harry, where he was most
tenderly cared for For a few months
past, he had been slowly failing in
strength, his mind remaining sound until
the last. Being fond of reading, he spent
hours each day keeping in touch with
the interests of his town and state, and
in all his undertakings he was never sat
listed ito follow, but TO lead" He leaves
two daughters, Mrs. Ina Tabor of North
Calais and Mrs. Linnie Walbridge, who
remains on the home farm, and two sons,
Charles and Harry, living IN this town,
several grandchildren and eight great
He was a believer in the
Universalist faith but attended the NJ +. /,
church. Funeral services were held at !
his late home. Rev. =. II. Roberts offici-
ating, assisted by Rev. F. Z. Currier.
Flowers from relatives covered the cas-
ket. his remains being taken TO Calais
and placed in the family lot