Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 412-415:
Foster. The family of this name in Mersea township is one of the oldest and most influential in that section of the County of Essex, where they have owned land for nearly eighty years.
The Fosters are of English descent, Ralph Foster, the founder of the family in this country, having been a native of England, born Dec. 27, 1795, in the parish of Wardell, County of Durham, son of John Foster, of the same parish... He married in Hexham, County of Northumberland, England, April 25, 1817, Ann Wilthew, who was born May 16, 1796, in the parish of Hexham. Shortly after their marriage they embarked for the New World, ... eventually coming to Ontario, and making their way to the County of Essex in about 1826, nearly ten years after they first landed on the Canadian shore. He located in Mersea township, on the farm now owned and operated by his sons, James W. and George, and was one of the first settlers in that region... He attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years, a strong, active man to the last, and died, full of years and honor, Aug. 21, 1877; he is buried in Lake View cemetery, at Leamington.
... By his first marriage Mr. Foster became the father of eight children: ... George, born Jan. 21, 1836, is mentioned below. The mother of these children died May 22, 1867, and was buried in Lake View cemetery. She was a true Christian woman, a loving wife and mother, and shared with her husband the trials and hardships of pioneer life...
George Foster, like his brothers, was born on the homestead farm, and attended the log schoolhouse. He worked on the home farm from early boyhood, meantime attending the school near Lake Erie, in the township of Mersea, taught by an Irish schoolmaster named Otter, who was a soldier in the British army. He remained on the homestead with his father, and when the homestead was divided obtained the eastern half of 164 acres, on which he built a dwelling-house, and which he has been cultivating ever since. He was among the pioneer tobacco growers in this section, and has ever been noted for his thrift and industry, as well as his integrity. Early in June, 1904, the Natural Gas and Oil Co. bored for oil on his premises and now have four producing wells, and are sinking two more. He is a man who has the respect of all who know him, for his honest and upright character. He is a Liberal in the very best sense, broad-minded, and though not an office-seeker does not neglect the duties of a good citizen, and has served as school trustee of his section, No. 2, for six years, taking a deep interest in education. He is Liberal and broad-minded in his religious views, preferring the Golden Rule as his motto. He was one of the first members of the Agricultural Society.
Mr. Foster married, in Mersea township, May 12, 1861, Elizabeth Scott Derbyshire, daughter of George and Mary Derbyshire, and sister of the late Mrs. James White Foster. Children as follows came to this union: Ida Ellen, died young. Clotilda is at home. Mary Amelia married (first) Robert Laird and (second) Mack Roach. She resides in Leamington. Norman Scott, a tailor, resides at home. Ella Britomarte married Robert Winters, and resides in Leamington. Colin Elmer died young. Bertha died when six months old. The mother of these children suffered from heart trouble for several months, and died suddenly in her husband's arms Nov. 18, 1899; she was buried in Lake View cemetery. Mrs. Foster was a true Christian woman, devoted to her husband and children, a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and was deeply mourned by many besides her husband and children...
Mary Amelia
Foster
Version 6.08 Copyright © 1998-2016