William H. Foster

Birth: December 23, 1797

Death: November 30, 1888

Burial Location: Greenwood Ave. Lot 1291, Grave 2

No information is known about William H. Foster’s childhood or early education. It is known that he worked at the Asiatic Bank in Salem from the time of its opening in 1824; first as a bookkeeper, after several years, he was promoted to the position of cashier. He held that position until 1884. He was elected as a Director of the bank. His connected to Salem Savings Bank began in 1837, and he was elected as a trustee of that bank in 1857 and as a member of its Finance Committee in 1858. He became its Vice President in 1874.

In addition to his financial interests, he was also one of the men who established the Eastern Railroad in 1836. He helped to run the banquet which was held to celebrate the first train to run through Salem. He was the President of the board of the Salem Gaslight Company. He served as President of the board of the Old Ladies Home, a member of the board of the Old Men’s Home, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of the Harmony Grove Cemetery as well as one of the founding trustees, clerk of the Eastern Stage Company, one of the founders of Barton Square Church, a member of the Second Corps of Cadets from 1815 and eventually the oldest living member of that organization.

He married Laura A. Ward on May 1, 1822. The couple had two children: Joseph C. Foster and William J. Foster. ‍

Sources Consulted:

• Ancestry.com/genealogy/records/William-h.-foster-24-2/qwp3m‍
• Illustrated History of the Salem Evening News Compiled by G. B. Gillespie, Published By the Salem Evening News, 1897