Martha Albertine (Merrick) Foster (1845 - 1901)

Born 15 Jul 1845 in New York, United States

Ancestors

Wife of De Witt Parshall Foster — married 1871 in Lyons, Wayne, New York, United States

Died 16 May 1901 at age 55 in Lyons, Wayne, New York, United States

Biography

Martha was born in 1845. She was the daughter of Ira Merrick and Marth Lamb. She passed away in 1901.

Obituary

Democrat and Chronicle 17 May 1901 Fri Page 3
In Memoriam
Death of Mrs. Martha Albertine Foster Followed a Paralytic Stroke
Mrs. Martha Albertine Foster, one of the most respected and deeply esteemed women of Lyons, died at her residence on Holly street in that village yesterday afternoon. She had been an invalid for half a year, and six weeks ago sustained a stroke of paralysis. This stroke combined with other ailments to bring about a greatly weakened condition, and another stroke occurring this week, hastened the end.
The deceased was born July 15, 1845, the daughter of Colonel Ira Mirick, well known in his day as a miller, malster, and contractor. It was he that constructed the portion of the New York Central passing through Lyons and neighboring villages, and he also had charge of construction on section 8 of the Erie Canal, the portion of that waterway which includes Wayne county. No less prominent in the history of the county was her husband, DeWitt Parshall Foster, to whom she was married in 1871. He was at one time the leading factor in the Democratic party of the county and from his connection with the malting business and other industrial enterprises became known as one of Wayne's most successful businessmen. he was a son of Cullen Foster, who was county clerk and Sheriff of the county, and a man who enjoyed with Colonel Mirik the distinction of being on of the leading figures of his time. After her husband's death three years ago Mrs. Foster had lived at the homestead in Lyons and her home, as previously, had been renowned for its social entertainment. She was a woman of rare culture and refinement and was accordingly active in all literary and social organizations. Together with the late Mrs. Arnold she was a founder of the Ladies Relief Society and her benevolence were of steady continuance. There survive her five children, a daughter Isabel, and four sons, DeWitt P., who served in the Second New Your Volunteers during the war with Spain and is now in the Cornell College of Medicine; Albert, a student until recently at Rocheser University and Federick and Alexander, of Lyons.

Sources

• 1870 United States Federal Census - Year: 1870; Census Place: Lyons, Wayne, New York; Page: 257A; Family History Library Film: 552611 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M82S-86X
• 1892 New York State Census - Name Albertine Foster Event Type Census Event Date 1892 Event Place Lyons, Wayne, New York, United States Event Place (Original) Lyons, 05, Wayne, New York District 05 Sex Female Age 46 Citizenship Status Citizen Birth Year Estimated) 1846 Birthplace U S Record Number 21015 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ94-PDN
• 1900 United States Federal Census - Name M A Foster Event Type Census Event Date 1900 Event Place Lyons Township Lyon village (east part), Wayne, New York, United States Event Place (Original) ED 114 Lyons Township Lyon village (east part), Wayne, New York, United States District ED 114 Sex Female Age 55 Marital Status Widowed Race White Number of Living Children 5 Birth Date Jul 1845 Birthplace New York Father's Birthplace New York Mother's Birthplace New York Mother of how many children 5 Relationship to Head of Household Head https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSPM-JJY
• New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956 - Name Marha A Foster Event Type Death Event Date 16 May 1901 Event Place Lyons, Wayne, New York, United States Event Place (Original) Lyons, New York Entry Number 21999 Record Number 41 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGP6-2WS1