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Thomas Jefferson Foster
Tom learned the cooper's trade from his great uncle, Asa Davis. As a young man, he also worked in the store of David Warford. In August 1880, he became partners with Allen Daymon in farming and with Isaac Hobbs Jr. in coopering.
Tom and his first wife, Sarah, were both charter members of Christ Church of
Rock Creek in February 1880. Tom remained a member of Christ Church at Rock
Creek until he moved away.
In November of 1880, Sarah eloped with Bill Irby, the widower who lived next
door to them. The local Hardin County newspaper of 26 Nov 1880 reported under
Local Intelligence: "Bill Irby, Rock Creek, instigated by the devil and love of the woman eloped with Thomas J. Foster's wife". In February 1881, Sarah was withdrawn from membership at Christ Church for adultery.
Sarah also married (2) William IRBY Apr 1881 in Hardin County, Illinois. He
was called Bill. He was born May 1848 in Tennessee. During the Civil War, Bill
served in Company D, 48th Kentucky Regiment. By 1889, Sarah was again a member
of Christ Church at Rock Creek as Sarah Irby. Sarah died 28 Jan 1922. William
died 1928.
BIOGRAPHY:
Tom married (2) Christina REAK 15 Aug 1884. She went by the name
of Tina. She was born 22 Jan 1862 in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois,
the daughter of Matthew REAK, born 4 Dec 1830 in Wurtenburg, Welzheim,
Germany, died 11 Apr 1913 in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois and
Rebecca Jane BEARD, born 10 Mar 1842 in Knoxville, Tennessee and died 30 Dec
1924 in Hardin County Illinois. Matthew and Rebecca are buried in the IOOF
Cemetery near Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois.
In 1882, Tom moved to Elizabethtown where he ran a coopering business. In August of 1884, he remarried to Tina REAK; became a merchant and built a moderately successful business in Elizabethtown. In Feb 1890, Tom narrowly escaped disaster when the steamship Ohio ran aground with 700 dozen eggs belonging to him aboard. Tom had failed to insure the shipment but he was lucky, the freight was recovered
unharmed. In Jan 1887, Tom S sister in law, Mollie REAK, was married to William Womack at Tom and Tina's house in Elizabethtown.
Tom reportedly lost a fortune farming on Hurricane Island. At one time, Tom became so broke that his family lived with his brother, Bill Foster for a time. One of Tom's girls told Bills daughter that it was easier for her (Florence) to do without things than for them because Florence had never had anything and they had always had everything.
Tom then moved his family to White County and farmed for O'Gara Coal Company.
He became a peddler and later entered the grocery business at West Frankfort
Illinois, where he died. Tom died 26 May 1930 in West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois. He was so fond of his second father in law, Matthew REAK, he had requested that he be buried beside him and that is where he lies in the IOOF Cemetery near Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois.
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