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

HENRY T. FOSTER, retired, Beardstown; was born in Lincoln 
County, Me., Feb. 3, 1815, son of Robert Foster and Maria 
(Emerson) Foster; he, a native of Boston, born in 1773, and 
she, a native of New Hampshire; they had eleven children.  
Robert was a merchant and shipbuilder, and came to Illinois 
in 1835, but returned to Westchester, Pa., where he died in 
1847, his wife having died in 1831.  Our subject came to 
Illinois in 1835, and in 1836 opened a store, which after 
two years he sold out.  He then made a trip to New York, 
and returning, went into partnership with his brother for 
several years.  He was one of the joint purchasers of the 
Wilbourn Flouring Mills, which he assisted in conducting 
about three years.  From 1840 till 1852, Mr. Foster was 
engaged in farming; also in packing and shipping hogs, for 
the Eastern markets, and from 1852 to 1876, he was engaged 
in merchandising, and the agricultural implement business.

Foster Emerson 
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Lincoln-ME MA NH PA NY