Illinois:  History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William 
Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, 
Chicago, 1882.  Cass County.

ABNER FOSTER, retired; Beardstown; was born in Union, 
Lincoln Co., Me., Aug., 3, 1817, and came west at the age 
of eighteen years, locating in Schuyler County, Ill., but 
shortly afterward removed to Richmond, where he remained 
two years, merchandising, in connection with his brother 
Henry.  In 1838, he and his brother came to Beardstown, and 
began merchandising.  In 1840, he with two others, bought a 
mill, and continued the business two or three years.  He 
then engaged in farming.  In 1849 he quit farming, and came 
to Beardstown, and conducted the lumber business till 1856, 
when he went to Hancock County, and run a steam saw mill.  
In 1860, he returned to Beardstown.  In 1868 he again 
engaged in the lumber business, and in 1872 commenced the 
hardware business, which he continued until 1881.  In 1876, 
he was elected President of the Cass County Bank, in which 
he has been a director and stockholder for many years.  In 
1844, he married Miss Sarah J. Ward, daughter of Col. John 
M. Ward, of Menard County, and two children were born, both 
of whom are dead.

Foster Ward 
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Lincoln-ME Schuyler-IL Hancock-IL Menard-IL