South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-26
EDWIN D. FOSTER DIES
At AGE OF 80 YEARS.
City'S Oldest Resident Passed
Away at Hospital Early
Sunday Morning.
Tlmes 1900 sersiee |:

News-Times Speciaf Service:
ELKHART. March 26.-Edin ID.
Foster. 80 years old, EIkharts Oldest
resident. died at the Bessler-Gross-
nickle hospital at 1880 o'clock
Sunday morning following an illness
from stomach trouble and the in
firmities of age. Mr.. Foster had
been in III health for the past two
or three months. He had made his
residence with his granddaughter.
Mrs. Myrtle Buchanan, 1918 S.
Main ST.. until increasing i'll health
necessitated his going 10 a hospital
one week ago Wednesday. From
that time he had failed slowly and
attending physicians knew that his
death was a matter of hours. Mr..
Foster returned from Los Angeles,
Calf. last October. in which city he
had lived for six years with his son,
George Foster.
Came to Elkhart i'm 1859.
Mr.. Foster was born in New York
state, Aug. 10, 1924. When quite
young his parents moved to Kirtman
Flats, O., and il was from that city
that he came TO Elkhart in 1859.
While in Kirtman Flats he married
Miss Eliza Hayden Upon taking
up his residence in Elkhart Mr.. Fos-
ter opened a custom shop at Main
and Jefferson SITS. Later he estab-
lished what was known as the Fos-
ter Bros. Carriage Co, the site just
north of the Century club, which he
obtained from Theal & Linderman,
carriage makers. When increasing
business demanded better facilities
he purchased the location now occu-
pied by the Sam Winer Junk Co,
where he opened a carriage shop,
under the name of the Foster Car
riage Co, and from which business
he retired about 80 years ago.
Shortly after moving TO this city
Mr.. Foster erected a house at 416
y, Main St, which still stands
Later he built a residence on Liber-
~ St, in which he lived during the
later part OF his life in this city.
About 80 years ago. five years
following the death Of his first wife.
Mr.. Foster married Miss Lizzie Cone
of this city, who died nearly 6 years
ago.
Served Before Civil War.
Mr.. Foster was constable before
the civil war and served as mar
shall during the conflict. He was
also elected constable after the war
He served as justice of the peace for
two terms. retiring from that office
about II years ago. 1t was from
this position that he received the
name by which he was so well
known, Judge" Foster.
As an authority on Masonic cues
tions Mr.. Foster ranked among the
first in Elkhart. He was a past
commander of the Knights Tenn
plars and a past master of the Blue
lodge. He also served as prelate,
until he moved TO California six
years ago.
Prominent Mason.
Six of Mr.. Fosters seven sons
have received the third degree in
the Masonic order from their faith
er. The last son TO have the rite
conferred upon him was w. A. Fos-
ter. who received it in December.
The cermOny was the cause of much
public comment because OF the
above related fact.
Mr.. Foster is quoted as saying
at the close of the ceremony that
now he had performed his duty he
was ready TO go.
He was member of no other or
ders of the city. with the exception
Of the Good Temperance union,
which passed from existence some
years ago. Ii was Mr.. Fosters wish
that he might live 10 see nation
wide prohibition.
The membership roll OF the Trim
ity Methodist church included his