Dexter N. Foster is a general farmer and grower of stock on section 34, Jordan Township. He was born Nov. 25, 1832, in Greenfield, Hillsborough Co., N. H. His father, Amos Foster, was born in the same county and was the son of Isaac Foster. The latter was born in Massachusetts and claimed lineal descent from the Pilgrims. The earlier generations were Puritans, and the grandfather of Mr. Foster maintained the customs and peculiar views of the sect. He accumulated considerable wealth and died in New Hampshire. He had eight children, Amos being the fourth in succession. The latter was reared to manhood in his native county and married Betsy, the daughter of Joshua Pratt. Her mother was a member of the Holt family, of distinction, and was a descendant of the celebrated Abbott family, of Massachusetts. The paternal great-grandsire of Mr. Foster was the father of eight children, and the grandfather of 88 members of the succeeding generation. Amos Foster and his wife became the parents of seven children. The mother died in 1853, aged 53 year. The father remained in Greenfield until his death, which transpired in November, 1882, at the age of 89 years. He had been a prominent member of society, and in the Church and in politics. He was a Republican and a Presbyterian. But one of his children is deceased, and the survivors are all married with one exception. Those who survive are named Amos H., Sylvia A., John E., Dexter N., Esther H., and Francis Jane. George H. died when he was 24 years of age, in Lowel!, Mass. .
Mr. Foster attended the common schools until he was 18 years of age, when he became a student at Francistown, then the seat of a popular academy, and he remained there during the school terms of four years, teaching school in the intervals. Subse. quently, he obtained a position in a bobbin factory, after which he taught about two years. In 1855 he came to Rockford; and shortly after went to Galena, Jo Daviess County. Early in 1856, he came to Whiteside County, and sought a friend who lived in Jordan Township, Dr. Pennington, a nurseryman and fruit-grower, with whom he remained three years. Within the first year he secured 94 acres of unimproved land on section 3I. In 1863 he bought 80 acres on section 6, in Sterling Township, lying nearly adjoining his real estate in Jordan Township. Two years after leaving Dr. Pennington, Mr. Foster was a teacher, after which he turned his attention to the improvement of his land during the summer seasons, teaching in the winter ensuing in District No .3, Jordan Township, and continued in that alternate method for five years. After that period he ~ abandoned teaching, and gave his exclusive attention to the improvement of his land. He put it in thorough and complete agricultural condition, and erected suitable and creditable buildings. In the spring of 1876, he sold the place and purchased 320 acres of land on sections 33 and 34, which had been partially improved. The proprietor has completed the work of converting his acreage into a valuable estate, with three dwel1ings and all other necessary farm buildings. Mr. Foster is extensively interested in stock-breeding, and shows good results in grades and thoroughbred. He also owns some fine Norman draught horses.
He was united in marriage in 1859 at Sterling, to Harriet, daughter of Henry Deardorff. She was born March 13, 1839, in Defiance Co., Ohio. She was orphaned ia childhood by tbe death of both her parents. She came to Whitside County, where she was married as stated, and she became the mother of three children: Charles L. was born Oct. 6, 1860, and died at the age of 12 years. Elmer died when three months old. George died when he was about six years of age. Their mother died Feb. 3, 1867, when she was 28 years of age. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Foster contracted a second matrimonial alliance March 11, 1868, at Boston, Mass., with Caroline E. Dinsmoor. She was born. Nov. 5, 1838, in Lowell, Mass. Her mother died when she was four years old, and she was brought up by her aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth D. Pillsbury, at Milford, N. H. After attending an excellent graded school, she completed. her education at Winding Wave Seminary at Ludlow, Mass. In the spring of 1860 she came to Whiteside County and engaged in teaching. She taught school at Joliet. and elsewhere. Five children have been born of her marriage to Mr. Foster. One died in extreme infancy. Fred died at the age of four months, Mabel D., Bessie P., and Robert D. are the names of the surviving children.
In political faith, Mr. Foster is a Republican. In 1861 he was elected Supervisor. He has served two terms as Collector and as Assessor the same length of time. He has been Road Commissioner two years, Justice of the Peace 12 years, and has acted 10 years as School Trustee. He is a Presbyterian in religious sentiment.
Mr. Foster is a prominent member of the Patrons of Husbandry. The order in the State of Illinois was first established in Whiteside County, and Mr. Foster was among the members of thefirst organization; and he has since been actively promine'nt in the establishment of Granges in other locations. He acted as Secretary of the Executive Committee of the State Grange and as General Deplity of the State and county. In 1874 he represented the local order at the National Grange at Charlston, S. C., receiving much benefit and acquiring a gratifying knowledge of Southern men and affairs.
1885 Portrait and Biographical of Whiteside Co Pg 503
