Carlton Foster

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Carlton Foster
From his obituary in Oshkosh Northwestern, Aug. 5, 1901
10th & 26th Mayor of Oshkosh, Wisconsin
In office
April 1886 – April 1887
Preceded byAndrew Haben
Succeeded byH. B. Dale
In office
April 1865 – April 1867
Preceded byPhiletus Sawyer
Succeeded byJoseph H. Porter
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Winnebago 3rd district
In office
January 1, 1883 – January 5, 1885
Preceded byGeorge H. Buckstaff
Succeeded byFrank Challoner
In office
January 6, 1873 – January 4, 1875
Preceded byNelson F. Beckwith
Succeeded byLeroy S. Chase
Personal details
Born(1826-08-26)August 26, 1826
Essex County, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 4, 1901(1901-08-04) (aged 74)
Oshkosh Yacht Club, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.
Cause of deathHeart disease
Resting placeRiverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Sibyl S. Storrs
​
​
(m. 1854⁠–⁠1901)​
Children
  • Jessie Foster
  • (died 1866)
  • George H. Foster
  • (b. 1862; died 1915)
  • Anna F. (Loper)
  • (b. 1863; died 1930)

Carlton Foster (August 26, 1826 – August 4, 1901) was an American businessman, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 10th and 26th 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]

Wisconsin Assembly, Winnebago 3rd District Election, 1872[4]
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
Wisconsin Assembly, Winnebago 3rd District Election, 1873[5]
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]

Wisconsin Assembly, Winnebago 3rd District Election, 1882[2]
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]

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Mayoral Election, 1886[3]
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

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Carlton Foster Dead". Oshkosh Northwestern. August 5, 1901. p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b "Mr. Haben Holed". Oshkosh Northwestern. April 7, 1886. p. 3. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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]

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Winnebago 3rd district
January 6, 1873 – January 4, 1875 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Winnebago 3rd district
January 1, 1883 – January 5, 1885 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Oshkosh, Wisconsin
April 1865 – April 1867 		Succeeded by
Joseph H. Porter
Preceded by Mayor of Oshkosh, Wisconsin
April 1886 – April 1887 		Succeeded by
H. B. Dale
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