The biographical encyclopœdia of Ohio of the nineteenth century:

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOP_EDIA.
Canal. On June 7th, 1827, he married Louisa Crocker,
daughter of John Crocker, of Cambridge, New York, and
the same year moved with his father-in-law to Seneca county,
Ohio, settling first in London township. They were among
the first settlers in that region, and had the usual experience
of pioneers. In I832 they entered some 2000 acres of
land in an adjoining township and laid out the town of
Rome, and soon after opened a store. In 1852 the town
was consolidated with Rlsdon, adjoining, under the name
of Fostoria. They located there with their families, built a
saw mill in I834, and a grist mill in 1836, making that point
a centre, and soon drawing a large trade from adjoining settlements. The business house then established with a capital of $2oo000 has continued with Mr. Foster as its head, and
now has a capital of $75,00oo0, while its transactions in merchandise, grain, pork, etc., amount to more than $I,ooo,ooo
annually. This remarkable success has been attained by
strict adherence to the principles of honorable dealing; in
all this long period he has never been a party in a contested
lawsuit. In I846 his oldest son, Charles Foster, was taken
into the concern, and in IS54 the commodious business
block, which they now occupy, was built on the original site
of the first store. In I864 a banking business was started
in connection with the store by Foster & Co., and is still in
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successful operation under the efficient management of J. E.
Wilkison, cashier. To Charles W. Foster and his son,
Hon. Charles Foster, their enterprise, foresight, and generous aid to all progressive movements, is the recently isolated inlanid town of Fostoria indebted for its present position
and its promise of continual growth, Few would have persevered undauntedly for forty years in a struggle that
many would have regarded as hopeless. Indeed, there are
few instances of success in Ohio as marked as that of Mr.
Foster. With the exception of R. W. Shawhan, of Tiffin,
there is not one of his contemporaries who in i832 was engaged in merchandising and is still pursuing the business.
Notwithstanding his very active life, he still enjoys vigorous
health, and retains to a remarkable degree that cheerfulness
and joviality for which he has always been noted. He has
had six children, only one of whom is now living-sHon.
Charles Foster. This son was born near Fostoria, April
I2th, I828. lie was educated at the common schools and
the academy at Norwalk<, Ohio; joined his father in ii-ercantile and banking business, as above related. He never
held any public office until elected to the Forty-second
Congress.,. His services in that body deservedly secured him
re-election to the Forty-third and Forty-fourth. He is a
Republican.