Carlton Foster
Carlton Foster | |
|---|---|
 From his obituary in Oshkosh Northwestern, Aug. 5, 1901 | |
| 10th & 25th Mayor of Oshkosh, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1886 – April 1887 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Haben |
| Succeeded by | H. B. Dale |
| In office April 1865 – April 1867 | |
| Preceded by | Philetus Sawyer |
| Succeeded by | Joseph H. Porter |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Winnebago 3rd district | |
| In office January 1, 1883 – January 5, 1885 | |
| Preceded by | George H. Buckstaff |
| Succeeded by | Frank Challoner |
| In office January 6, 1873 – January 4, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Nelson F. Beckwith |
| Succeeded by | Leroy S. Chase |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 26, 1826 Essex County, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 4, 1901 (aged 74) Oshkosh Yacht Club, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart disease |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Sibyl S. Storrs
(m. 1854–1901) |
| Children |
|
Carlton Foster (August 26, 1826 – August 4, 1901) was an American businessman, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 10th and 25th mayor of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Biography
[edit]Carlton Foster was born in Essex County, New York, in August 1826. He was raised on his father's farm and educated in the public schools of Essex and Clinton counties. At age 20, he went to work as an apprentice millwright, and would remain in that profession for over a decade.[1]
He moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in September 1855, and made the city his primary residence for the rest of his life. In 1859, he entered the lumber business and soon became regarded as one of the leading lumbermen in the city. In 1870, he built a factory under the firm name Carlton Foster & Co., which became a major manufacturer for sashes, doors, and blinds. Foster remained president of this company until his death.[1]
Through his business activity, Foster became involved in local politics as a member of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He was elected mayor of Oshkosh in 1865, and was re-elected in 1866. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1872, 1873, and 1882.[2] His last campaign for office was in 1886, when he was elected to his third and final term as mayor, defeating incumbent Democrat Andrew Haben.[1][3]
About May 1, 1901, Foster became severely ill and his health remained fragile after the acute illness passed. In June, he decided to live full-time aboard his beloved steam yacht, the Anna M., believing that the fresh air on the lake and river would improve his health. His family went to live with him on the boat, but his health continued to deteriorate. They steamed back to Oshkosh and docked at the Oshkosh Yacht Club, where medical assistance could be brought onboard. Foster died aboard his boat on August 4, 1901.[1]
Personal life and family
[edit]Carlton Foster married Sibyl S. Storrs of Vermont on June 20, 1854. They had at least three children, though one died in childhood. Their son, Charles H. Foster served on the Oshkosh city council and the city police and fire board.[1]
Electoral history
[edit]Wisconsin Assembly (1872, 1873)
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 5, 1872 | |||||
| Republican | Carlton Foster | 975 | 64.06% | −14.45% | |
| Democratic | Ellis Thompson | 547 | 35.94% | ||
| Plurality | 428 | 28.12% | |||
| Total votes | 1,522 | 100.0% | +46.91% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 4, 1873 | |||||
| Republican | Carlton Foster (incumbent) | 651 | 100.0% | ||
| Plurality | 651 | 100.0% | |||
| Total votes | 651 | 100.0% | -57.23% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
Wisconsin Assembly (1882)
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 7, 1882 | |||||
| Republican | Carlton Foster | 991 | 40.22% | ||
| Democratic | Joseph Klockner | 964 | 39.12% | ||
| Prohibition | Andrew Sutherland | 509 | 20.66% | ||
| Plurality | 27 | 1.10% | |||
| Total votes | 2,464 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
Oshkosh Mayor (1886)
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, April 6, 1886 | |||||
| Republican | Carlton Foster | 2,054 | 55.45% | ||
| Democratic | Andrew Haben (incumbent) | 1,572 | 42.44% | ||
| Prohibition | George W. Gates | 78 | 2.11% | ||
| Plurality | 482 | 13.01% | |||
| Total votes | 3,704 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Carlton Foster Dead". Oshkosh Northwestern. August 5, 1901. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Heg, J. E., ed. (1883). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 507–508. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ a b "Mr. Haben Holed". Oshkosh Northwestern. April 7, 1886. p. 3. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Turner, A. J., ed. (1873). "Official Directory" (PDF). The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 456. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Turner, A. J., ed. (1874). "Official Directory" (PDF). The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 471. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
External links
[edit]- 1826 births
- 1901 deaths
- People from Essex County, New York
- Businesspeople from Wisconsin
- Wisconsin city council members
- Mayors of Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- 19th-century American legislators
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- 19th-century Wisconsin politicians