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The Death of Infirmary Superintendent Otho Davis Foster

The Death of Infirmary Superintendent Otho Davis Foster
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The Death of Infirmary Superintendent Otho Davis Foster

“The many friends of Superintendent OD Foster, of the county infirmary, were grieved and saddened yesterday morning to hear of his death, which took place at the superintendent’s residence at the infirmary Sunday morning at half-past 1 o’clock.”

“His death was the result of an illness of some three weeks’ duration of heart trouble. He has been suffering more or less from this disease since the civil war, it being caused by exposure during that conflict. About a week ago he became alarmingly worse and for the past few days his life has been hanging by the merest thread. His suffering was acute and death was indeed a welcome relief.”

“Otha Davis Foster was born in Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, August 18, 1836, at which place he resided till 1848, when he moved to Black Oak Bottom, Kentucky. In March, 1852, he moved to Washington township, this county, and with the exception of a few years immediately following the close of the civil war which were spent in missouri, he has lived in this county ever since.”

“Upon the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Foster was among the first to respond to President Lincoln’s call for troops, enlisting in Battery L, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, in January 1861, as a private. He served through the war and came out as a 1st lieutenant of his company. He was a brave man and a gallant soldier, and had the esteem and respect of all his comrades.”

“Mr. Foster made a most excellent superintendent, filling the place to the entire satisfaction of the people, as was evidenced by his being retained year after year.”

“He was married September 8, 1860, to Miss Lucinda Shaw, who survives him. Of this union six children were born, one died in infancy; Henry, who was drowned at the mouth of the Scioto river about 18 years ago, William, who has been living some place in the West for the past three years; Otha D, Jr., of Portsmouth; Ora and James, who are at home. He leaves two brothers, Squire JR Foster, of Washington township; William Scott Foster, of this city, and Mrs. Emma Pyles, of Arkansas City, Arkansas.”

“Mr. Foster was a member of the Scioto Lodge IOOF and of the Encampment, and Bailey Post GAR. He was a conscientious Christian gentleman and has been a member of the Baptist church of this city since 1882.”

“The funeral was held this afternoon at the late residence of the deceased at 1:30 o’clock, the service being conducted by Reverend JH Snodgrass. The funeral was held under the auspices of the Scioto Lodge IOOF and Bailey Post GAR. the remains were interred at the Carey Run Cemetery.”1

  1. Dead: O.D. Foster, a Gallant Soldier, Good Citizen and Official. (1894, December 17). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
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