Lewis Foster, whose daughter Cassandra married Samuel Dyer, was a native of Baltimore, MD. He married Ann Davis. He joined the Church (Methodist) in early life. His father (Rev. John Foster) was a local preacher. Lewis began proclaiming the gospel at the age of 22. He moved his family in 1800 from Pennsylvania, blazing their way, his wagon being the first that ever made the journey from Wheeling to Chillicothe. He settled in Madison County where West Jefferson now stands (and just a few miles from the Dyer's). (Note: The Rev. John, 1st, died in 1800 and was buried in Waverly, Ohio, 15 miles south of Chillicothe and 4 miles south of Ross County. This suggests that Lewis brought his father -- 65 years old -- with him to Ross County where several Foster sons had moved and then went north to West Jefferson at a later date.) Samuel and Cassandra were married at the Foster homestead in October, 1810, and John Lewis Dyer was born March 16, 1812 near the old mill. In 1830 John (which, in the sequel, will refer to John Lewis Dyer) joined the Church. In 1831 Samuel decided to move west to the prairies of Illinois and finally settled near Fairview, some 25 miles west of Peoria. John became increasingly involved with the Church and in 1833 married Harriet Foster, the youngest daughter of Zebulon Foster. The marriage produced three boys and two girls (Joshua, Elias, ?, ?, ?).

from Joseph C. Foster and Kinfolk by Chattie Cox

Lewis Foster was b 1760, Baltimore County, Md., moved with the family to Bedford County, Pa., a spot where there was an abundance of water from springs. He met Ann Davis who was two years younger, and they had nine children.

The three oldest were married, when in 1806, the Lewis Foster family moved to Madison County, Ohio, where Lewis had acquired a thousand-acre-tract of land. They settled three miles northeast of the present village of West Jefferson.

Like his father before him, Lewis was a Methodist preacher, so immediately set about building a church. Rev. Lewis Foster presided at funerals, and the churchyard served as a burial ground.

Today (1968) Foster Chapel Cemetery is a splendid memorial to Rev. Lewis Foster's thirty some years at West Jefferson, Ohio.

About 1835, Lewis Foster and some of his family moved west to Illinois, settling in Fulton County. Again, Preacher Lewis built a church. Lewis and Ann, as well as many other members of his family are buried in this churchyard near Fairview, Illinois. An arch on the entrance gate read: Foster Cemetery.

Ann Davis Foster died in 1869. Lewis lived until 1852, spending his declining years in the home of a grandson, William Foster who married Hannah Alder.

Lewis and Ann Foster's Children

1. Thomas, b 1781; m 1800 Dorcas Clark

2. Elizabeth, b Dec 8, 1783; m 4-19-1804, Francis Downing

3. Rebecca, b 1786; m 1804, John Tomlison

4. Cassandra, b 1792; m Oct 4, 1810, Samuel Dyer

5. Joshua, b May 17, 1794; m March 10, 1816, Sarah Silver

6. John Lewis, b 1796; m Mar 16, 1819, Ruth Cone

7. Benjamin, b Nov 8, 1798; m June 1, 1820, Amanda Cone

8. Joseph, b 1802; m 1824, Nancy Higgins

9. Rachel, b 1804; m Nov 7, 1824, Simeon Downing