Wesley T. Foster

Wesley T. Foster, born in Maine, March 31, 1814, is the son of Alfred and Fanny (Wiggins) Foster, both natives of that state. In 1853 the family came to Bradford. The father engaged in farming, on lands which he purchased, in connection with his trade of shoemaker, and so continued until his death in 1871. Of their five children, there are living: Charles A., carpenter, of Bureau county; Stephen, of Osceola; Wesley T., of Bradford; and Nathan, a farmer of this township. Wesley T. may be said to have been raised and educated in Stark county. In 1861 he entered in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, reen-listed in 1861 and served fifty-one months, until mustered out as sergeant in December, 1865. Returning to Bradford he engaged at the carpenter's trade, and has been so engaged down to the present time. In 1866 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Ann E. Shaw —the former a native of England—the latter of Rhode Island—who settled in Illinois in 1810, where their daughter was born. In politics Mr. Foster is Republican. He has held the office of village trustee for eight years, and collector for one year. In religious affairs he supports the Protestant Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member, and in society matters is a member of the Blue Lodge and Grand Army Republic Post.