Son of Stoddard Moore Anderson & Ellen Penelope Johnson

Md 1st: Mary Ann Hardesty
Md 2nd: Eurania S.[Farrar] Ketchum

Children of Foster Anderson & Mary Ann Hardesty:
William W. Anderson
Flora Anderson Hackney
Henrietta Anderson Ebert
Clara B 'Carrie' Anderson
Oscar Anderson
Mary Jane 'Jennie' Anderson Walker
Annetta "Nellie" Anderson
James Wilson Anderson
Kitten M. Anderson

Child of Foster Anderson & Eurania S [Farrar] Ketchum
Foster Harry Anderson

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
Foster Anderson, living on Section 12, Lick Creek Township, Van Buren County is a pioneer of 1845. He was born in Somerset County Pennsylvania, October 15, 1825, his parents being Stoddard M. and Ellen Johnson Anderson. His father is a native of Ireland, who during the years of his young manhood crossed the Atlantic to America and in Pennsylvania married Miss Johnson, who was descended from good old Revolutionary stock. He was a mechanic by trade, and an expert workman. For many years he did business in Pennsylvania, and in 1831 removed to Holmes County Ohio where his death occurred in 1862. His wife survived him some years, and died near Birmingham Iowa. There were nine children in their family, as follows: Jane, now deceased, James also deceased; Margaret, Nancy, John, Francis, Abigail, Elizabeth and Foster. John, Elizabeth and Foster are residents of this community. Mr. Anderson was a member of the Methodist Church, also belonged to the Masonic
fraternity, and was a supporter of the Whig party until the rise of the Republican Party, when he identified himself
with that organization.
The first six years of his life our subject spent in Pennsylvania, and from that time until seventeen years of age he lived upon his father's farm in Ohio, during which time he attended the common schools for about three months in the year, which constituted his entire educational privileges. He then served an apprenticeship of two years to the carpenter's trade, and in 1845, at the age of twenty, he made his way westward to Van Buren County, in the Territory of Iowa. He chose Birmingham as the scene of his future labors, and then announced that he was ready to receive any patronage, which the public was willing to accord him. Being an expert workman, his services were soon in great demand as emigrants began to pour in quite rapidly, and homes must be built for their accommodation. For a quarter of a century he followed carpentering with good success, and secured a competency which now enables him to live a retired life.
Mr. Anderson has ever been a leading citizen of the community, and one who has never shirked his duty, but with commendable interest has done all in his power for the advancement of Van Buren County's best interests. He has taken an active part in political affairs, and his opinions carry weight with them in the local conventions of his party. He cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, but in 1856 he supported the first Republican candidate, and has been a zealous partisan of Republican principles since.
In 1849 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Hardesty, and unto them were born nine children, as follows: W.W., a resident of Kansas; Flora E., wife of W.F. Hackney of Kansas; Oscar and Annetta, who are living in the same state; James W. and Katie; Henrietta, wife of J.D. Albert of Birmingham; Jennie wife of George G. Walker, and Belle, who is living in Boise City Idaho. The mother of this family died in 1873, and Mr. Anderson wedded Herena Ketchem. Their union is graced by one child, Harry F. who is now, a lad of ten years. Mr. Anderson and his family have a pleasant home conveniently situated about one mile from Birmingham.

OBITUARY OF FOSTER ANDERSON - courtesy of Jean Wenke
Foster Anderson was born in Sommerset county, Pennsylvania, October 15th, 1825, and passed away at Eldon, Iowa, June 16, 1918, at the home of his son Harry Anderson. He was 92 years, 8 months, and 1 day old.
When about twenty years of age he came to Iowa and settled close to Birmingham. This place has practically been his home since that time until three years ago when he started making his home in Fairfield and Eldon with his children. In Febraury 1916 he fell and sustained a broken hip. He never fully recovered from the effects of the injury and has hardly even been able to walk since that time.
Mr. Anderson became a member of the Masonic lodge at Birmingham when he was twenty-one years of age, and was a member in good standing at the time of his death. Thus can it be said that Mr. Anderson is the oldest Mason in Van Buren county, having been a member more than 71 years.
On September 20th, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Hardesty of Van Buren county. To them nine children were born, two of whom are dead. They are Mrs. Nettie Green and Wilson Anderson. Those surviving are: Mrs. Bell Howry, Mrs.Jennie Walker, Kate M. Anderson all of Idaho; W. W. Anderson, O. S. Anderson, Mrs. Flora E. Hackney of Wasington, Kansas; and Mrs. Etta Ebert of Fairfield. His wife preceded him in death April 21, 1873.
His second marriage occurred January 25th, 1877, to Eurenia S. Ketchum. One son was born to them, Harry F. Anderson of Eldon, at whose home he died. Besides his children he leaves to mourn their loss 24 grandchildren and 13 great-grand-chidlren.
At the time of the Civil War he volunteered but was rejected because of his physical condition. Thus did he so desire to help in the great struggle, that he organized a company of Home Guards and was commissioned Captain.
Mr. Anderson took to his bed Mar. 14, 1918, and has been almost helpless since that time. His illness was due to a complication of diseases and old age. He has always enjoyed good health and it was hard for him to take to his bed but he was a most patient sufferer. He was rational within two hours before he died. Finally he fell into a sleep from which he failed to awaken. Death came about 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
The funeral services were held at Birmingham Tuesday morning, Jun. 18th, at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. A. W. McBlain, pastor of the M. E. church at Eldon. The Masonic lodge of Birmingham took charge of the service at the grave.
Obit courtesy of Jean Wenke