IowaJones/Biographies/J. Foley

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J. Foley–M. Foust

John Foley
Born February 18, 1838

JOHN FOLEY. This substantial resident of Anamosa is engaged as a railroad contractor, and also is the owner of a good farm in Fairview Township. He is a native of Ireland, having been born February 18, 1838. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Kelly) Foley, were also natives of the Emerald Isle, the former corning to the United States when advanced in years. John, when emigrating hither, landed in New York City, whence he made his way into Champaign County, Ohio, where he attended school for one winter, and then began working on the Columbus & Cleveland Railroad.

In 1856 the subject of this sketch went to Wisconsin, where he was employed on the La Crosse & Milwaukee Road, and afterward removed to Watertown, that state, working for the Chicago & Northwestern, and afterward as an employe for the Janesville & Oshkosh Road. Three years later young Foley came to Iowa, making his headquarters for a time in Ottumwa in the employ of the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company, in grading the road bed. He afterward was engaged by the Illinois Central, and located at Waterloo, this state. In the year 1860, our subject came to Anamosa, in the employ of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Road, laying the track between this city and Sperryville. After completing this work he went to Benton County and constructed the road between Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown for the Northwestern Road. We next find Mr. Foley in Lanark, Ill., working for the Milwaukee & St. Paul under Captain Smith, on that portion of the road lying between Freeport and Savannah.

March 26, 1864, our subject again came to this city and was married to Miss Nora Sullivan, of Anamosa, and the daughter of Michael and Ellen Sullivan, natives of Ireland. After his marriage Mr. Foley was engaged in farm pursuits for two years, but finding this business did not suit him, again engaged in railroad work, this time for the Chicago & Northwestern. In 1867 he worked for a time on the Rock Island, and the same year laid the track of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy between Clinton and Indianola.

In 1870 our subject returned to Anamosa, investing his surplus money in real estate and carried on general farming for the succeeding three years. His possessions now aggregate eight hundred acres, five hundred of which are under the best methods of improvement. His farm is stocked with fine animals, has an ample supply of buildings, including a commodious dwelling and good barn. In addition to this property Mr. Foley owns a fine grocery store in Anamosa, which is carried on by his son, Thomas W.

As has already been seen, our subject is a truly self-made man. During his childhood he experienced many disadvantages, but not withstanding discouragements he pushed ahead, and the result proves the wisdom of his course. He has in vested his money judiciously, has a beautiful home in the city, and is prepared to spend the declining years of his life in peace and comfort, surrounded by many of the luxuries of life. With his good wife, Mr. Foley is a member of St. Patrick's Church at Anamosa, in the faith of which they have trained their children.

From Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pg. 166, and submitted by Becky Teubner.

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Timothy Foley
Born 1826

TIMOTHY FOLEY, farmer, Cass Twp., Sec. 21; P.O. Anamosa; born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1826; he came to the United States in 1851; he traveled about considerably before locating permanently; he lived on Long Island, N.Y., for some time, then went to Ohio; thence to Michigan, and thence to Missouri; he was for some time engaged in boating on the Cumberland, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers; he went to McHenry Co., Ill., in 1856, where he lived till July, 1857; thence to Minnesota, where he lived till 1659; he came to Anamosa in November, 1859, where he lived ten years; in 1869, located on his present farm. He was married to Hannah Healy, who was born in New York City; they have seven children—Dennis, Catherine, John, Michael, William, Edward and Annie.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Publishing Company, Chicago, 1879, p. 694. Mary Kay Kuhfittig

John H. Folkers
Born 1840

JOHN H. FOLKERS, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec. 17; P.O. Langworthy; farms on shares with Mr. Bingham, of Monticello; born in Germany in 1840; came to America and to Jones Co. in 1876. Wife's maiden name was Catharine Bornheinken, a native, also, of Germany; born in 1841; they were married in 1865; have had five children, four of whom are living—Henry, Garret, Margaret and Catharine. Mr. Folkera and his entire family are in the Lutheran Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, page 623, 1879, submitted by Mary Kay Kuhfittig

Jacob Foreman
Born 1814

JACOB FOREMAN, farmer, Sea. 18; P.O. Viroqua; born in Kentucky in 1814; went to Ohio when young; then to Indiana, and; in 1844, to Iowa, and entered 200 acres, and made the improvements; now owns 360. In politics, Republican; in religion, Lutheran. Has been Road Supervisor, School Director and Trustee. His wife, Jane Roony, was born in Virginia in 1817; came to Ohio when young, then to Indiana. Married in 1836; have had seven children—Rhoda (now Mrs. William Harrison), Margaret (now Mrs. Gilmore, in Shelby Co.), Mary J. (now Mrs. Cook, in Shelby Co.), Elenora, Ill. (now Mrs. B. H. Millar, in Olin), Augusta (now Mrs. Smith, at home), Elizabeth Sunday (deceased), and Albert (deceased).

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 647.

Prof. Luther Foster
Born October 5, 1849

PROF. LUTHER FOSTER, Superintendent of Schools, Monticello; is a native of Monroe Co., Ind., and was born October 5; 1849. His parents came to Iowa in 1850, and located in Wapello Co., near Ottumwa. He grew up to manhood and received his education in this State and engaged in teaching; he came to Jones Co. in August, 1873, located at Monticello and became Principal of the schools, and since then has occupied that position. He was united in marriage to Miss M. Lizzie Curtis, from Independence, Iowa, July 20, 1876; they have two children, daughters-Florence and an infant not named.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 667.

Michael Foust
Born June 26, 1842

MICHAEL FOUST, farmer, Scotch Grove Twp., Sec. 39; P.O. Center Junction; born in Pennsylvania in 1842; came to Jones Co. with his parents in 1851. His wife's maiden name was Mary Bailey, a native of New York; they were married in 1872; they have four children—Harriet, Ellen Maria, Johnnie and Margaret. Mr. Foust owns eighty acres of land. He is a Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 655, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

Michael Foust, who is well known as one of the earlier settlers of Jones county, for he has resided in Scotch Grove township for fifty-nine years, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1842. His parents, Michael and Maria (Hipple) Foust, started upon their journey to the west in 1843, stopping for a time at Dunleath, Illinois, across the river from Dubuque. There the father died and later the family moved into Jackson county, Iowa. During the period of their residence there Mrs. Foust married Donald Livingston and in 1850 came with her family to Jones county. They located upon the farm in Scotch Grove township which Michael Foust owns today. It remained the home of his mother and stepfather throughout the remainder of their days.

Michael Foust was about eight years of age when his parents came to Scotch Grove township, so that it may be said that here he has passed all the years of his active life. He was reared at home and during his youth attended the common schools of his locality. He was early initiated into the work of the farm and through practical experience in its cultivation, gained an acquaintance with its peculiarities long before he purchased it from his stepfather. It is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres whose soil is well adapted for general farming which Mr. Foust has followed.

While he has kept fully abreast of the times in his methods of tilling the soil, he has been more or less conservative, for his thorough knowledge of the character of his land, his wisdom, acquired through actual experience, in regard to farming in general, has made him slow to relinquish those habits which have brought him a large measure of success in the course of years. His fields, orderly and well cared for, are representative of the best agricultural property of his township, while the condition of his fences and buildings tells its own story of the good management which has played no small part in placing Mr. Foust among the substantial men of his locality. His industry has been the means of his success and his thrift has conserved where toil could do no more.

In his young manhood Mr. Foust wedded Miss Mary Baley, of Scotch Grove township, a daughter of John Baley, who came to Jones county from New York state. Five children have been born to the couple: Hattie, who is the wife of Spencer Giles, the principal of the Springville schools; Ella, who is unmarried and lives at home; John, of Springville, Iowa; Margaret, who is the wife of Harry Withem, of Madison township, this county; and Mary Ann, who is deceased. Mrs. Foust has also passed away, her death having occurred March 9, 1883.

Since he has been of an age to exercise the franchise right of an American citizen, Mr. Foust has allied himself with the republican party, but has taken little part in the public life of his township, for he has considered that the example of his life, the lesson of its unremitting toil and its integrity of purpose were influence enough wielded in a community which regarded him as one of its honored members.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 263.