The Foos Family of Clark County, Ohio

WILLIAIM FOOS, formerly president of the Second National Bank at Springfield, the founder of the village of Foosland, Illinois, and a citizen of enterprise who devoted time and capital to many public-spirited movements both in this and other localities, was born in 1814, in Franklin, now West Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, and is a son of General Joseph and Margaret (Phifer) Foos.

From the age of fourteen years, William Foos displayed business capacity. About that time he rented land from his grandfather and successfully engaged for a time in its cultivation, and although other interests and occupations concerned him through many years of his subsequent life, he always kept in touch with agricultural pursuits and retained farming lands which it was his delight to improve. During early manhood he embarked in mercantile enterprises both at Springfield and in Logan and Madison Counties, and during his time of residence in the latter county, he improved a farm. From 1846 until 1854 he was interested in a mercantile business at Springfield, but during this time he was also concerned in other enterprises. He was a man of great foresight and most excellent commercial comprehension, and as he saw other avenues where investments of capital promised favorable returns, he knew how to use his means and reap certain advantages. In association with Ms brother, the late Gustavus Foos, he bought a large tract of land for a merely nominal sum, and this is now one of the most valuable additions to Springfield. It was but one of many successful enterprises.

The banking house which was established by William and Gustavus Foos, in 1859, in 1863 became the Second National Bank of Springfield. Of this institution, William Foos was president and his son, Fergus W. Foos, was cashier. In 1866

William Foos became a member of the manufacturing firm of James Lelfel & Company, with which he remained connected for a period of ten years. At the time of his death, Mr. Foos was interested in the development of a magnificent estate of 4,000 acres of land, which he owned in Champaign County, Illinois. The prosperous village of Foosland, in that county, was named in his honor and he laid it out and generously endowed it.

In 1837 William Foos married Sarah Mark, who was a daughter of James and Nancy (Van Kirk) Mark, of Madison County, Ohio.

Mr. Foos died in February, 1892, at his home in Springfield, Ohio.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GUSTAVUS S. FOOS.

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GustaA'US S. Foos was born in Columbus, Obio, July 8, 1818, representing one of the pioneer families of this state. His father. General Joseph Foos, was born in Kentucky, while the mother was a native of Virginia and removed to Ohio at a very early da,te. When the country became engaged in the second war with England General Foos entered the army, serving with distinction as a defender of his country. He gained prominence in civil affairs in his adopted state and for twenty-one years was a member of the Ohio legislature, and his labors and influence were very effective in promoting some of the most important legislation that has established the police of this great commonwealth.

Mr. Foos of this review was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, early acquiring habits of industry, economy and honesty, which proved the foundation upon which he reared the superstructure oif his prosperity in later years. His preliminary education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by one year's study in the high school of Springfield, entering that institution at the age o.i sixteen years. The west attracted him and he then left hoiiie, g"oing to Illinois, where he was engaged in farming and in trade pursuits, but after three years he returned to his native state, settling in Logan county, Ohio, where he secured anployment in the store of his brother, William Foos, who was a resident of Springfield, but is now deceased. After three years experience as a salesman, he, in partnership with his brother, Lewis, purchased the store and for several years successfully conducted the 'business. He then disposed of his interest to his brother, Lewis Foos.

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On the.i8th of June, 1849, was celebrated the marriage of Gustavus S. Foos and Miss Elizabeth Flouston, a daughter of Dr. Robert Houston, of South Charleston, Clark county. Ohio. Two sons were born unto them, Robert H. and William F., who became associated with their father in business, and since the death of their father they have conducted the large enterprise and meet the demands of their constantly growing trade.

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As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GUSTAVUS S. FOOS. The late Gustavus S. Foos was one of Springfield's representative men, one who, through public spirit, progressive business methods and exemplary personal life, deserves to have his name remembered among those who have contributed largely to this city's prosperity. He was the founder and for many years the able president of the Foos Manufacturing Company, one of Springfield's leading industries. Gustavus S. Foos was born in Franklin, now West Columbus, Ohio, July

8, 1818, and died July 11, 1900, rounding out a useful life of eighty-two years. He was a son of General Joseph Foos, who was once ])prominent in the military affairs of this section, and later served as a statesman, for twenty-one years, being a member of the Ohio Legislature.

Gustavus S. Foos obtained his education in the Springfield schools, leaving the High School in his second year, when he went to Illinois, where he remained three years. Uijon his return to Ohio he entered the employ of his brother, the late William Foos, as a salesman, and after some mercantile experience, in partnership with another brother, the late Levi Foos, he purchased the business of William Foos and it was successfully continued for seven-al years. In 1848 Gustavus S. Foos again became associated with his brother William, and they became jointly interested in mercantile, real estate and banking enterprises. In this year the brothers bought a large tract of land at Springfield, which they laid out in town lots, and these now form the best residence sections of the city. In 1858 they embarked in a brokerage business, and two years later they established a ]3rivate bank, this subsequently developing into the Second National Bank. Of this institution William Foos became president and Gustavus S. Foos cashier, a position he filled until his resignation, in 1862. Prior to this Mr. Foos disposed of large farming interests which he had owned in Illinois, and after freeing himself from the bank, entered extensively into the wool business and rapidly became prominent in that industry.

The panic of 1873 fell upon the country and many of the leading business men in HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY every section saw the fortunes that they had accumulated swept away, as it were, in a night. Among these was Gustavus S. Foos, who found himself, at the age of fifty-five years, forced to begin life anew. He turned his attention at first to the manufacture of that humble but useful household article, a kitchen clotheswringer, associating with him his two sons. From the very bottom they built up a business which became one of importance. In 1884 Mr. Foos saw that it would be the part of wisdom to dispose of the enterprise in which he was then engaged and to siden his field of operations. When he again entered the manufacturing field with his sons, the business was the making of special grinding and pulverizing oil-mill machinery and forces. He then organized the Foos Manufacturing ComiDany, taking the duties of president upon his experienced shoulders, and making his son, Robert H. Foos, vice president, and his other son, William F. Foos, treasurer. The business prospered and the time came when the name of Foos was held in esteem in every trade center. Near the close of his life it contributed great satisfaction to the venerable founder, that the same old standards of business integrity which he had established were continued by those who followed him.

In early life Mr. Foos was a Whig in his political views and later became an active Republican and zealous supporter of the policies of this party. During the Civil War Mr. Foos on many occasions demonstrated his loyalty and true patriotism, contributing both time and money and giving generously to those benevolent agencies which took care of the families of the men who were fighting at the front. During the Morgan Raid he was a member of the famous "Squirrel Hunters' Brigade. In times of peace he also was large-hearted in his charities and was exceedingly liberal-minded on many subjects.

Mr. Foos was married June 28, 1849, to Elizabeth Houston, who was a daughter of Dr. Robert Houston, of South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio, and they had two sons, Robert H. and William F. M''william F. Foos is president of the Springfield National Bank and is receiver for the Springfield Malleable Iron Company. For the past five years the Foos brothers have not been connected with the Foos Manufacturing Company. Their handsome residence is located at No. 560 East High Street, Springfield.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

ROBERT H. FOOS, formerly president of the The Foos Manufacturing Company, at Springfield, has long been identified with the business interests of this city, and for almost a quarter of a century was connected with the industry mentioned, which was founded by his late father. He was born at Springfield, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of Gustavus S. and Elizabeth (Houston) Foos.

Robert H. Foos prepared for college in the Springfield schools, and in 1872 was graduated from the Ohio AVesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. Following his university career came a visit to Europe, where he not only became proficient in the German and French languages, but also devoted a large amount of attention to the study of agricultural and industrial conditions and also to foreign methods of doing business. Ujon his return to his native city he became teller of the Second National Bank at Spring-field, where lie remained until he joined his father when the latter organized The Foos Manufacturing Company, on January 1, 1884. This company began business with a capital stock of $115,000, with Gustavus Foos as president, Robert H. Foos as vice president, and William F. Foos as treasurer. On the death of Gustavus S. Foos, which occurred July 11, 1900, Robert H. Foos became president, and William,F. Foos vice president and treasurer, the brothers thus serving until they sold out the business. The Foos Manufacturing Company gave employment to 300 men and their manufactured product included special grinding machinery, scientific grinding-mills, portable forces, farmers' tools, corn harvesters, corn shellers and other implements of a like character.

Since retiring from the above mentioned company, Robert H. Foos has been interested in mining and in a number of other industries. He is identified politically with the Republican party, but his life is that of a business man and not of a iDolitician. He belongs to the Lagonda Club, and was the organizer of the Country Club and has been its president from its inception. His home is in a beautiful residence situated at No. 560 East High Street, Springfield.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM F. FOOS, president of the Springfield National Bank, and a leading citizen of Springfield, has long been identified with large business interests here. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, March 5, 1852, and is a son of the late Gustavus S. and Elizabeth (Houston) Foos. For many years the late Gustavus S. Foos was closely connected with Springfield's business prosperity and was rightly considered as a representative citizen. He was the founder of The Foos Manufacturing Company, with which he continued to be associated as its president until his death in 1900.

After graduating at the Ohio Wesleyan

University in 1873, William F. Foos became associated with his father and only brother, Robert H. Foos, in building up an enterprise which subsequently developed into The Foos Manufacturing Company. Of this he served as treasurer until the death of his father, when he also assumed the duties of vice president, his brother at that time becoming president. After a number of years spent in this branch of manufacturing, both brothers acquired other interests and, in 1905, sold out their holdings in the Foos Company. The business was one of large proportions, employment being afforded to some 300 workmen. William F. Foos was made receiver for the Springfield Malleable Iron Company.

Mr. Foos married Mary Stewart, who is a daughter of Col. James Stewart, of Springfield, and they have two children — Elizabeth and Gustavus Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Foos are attendants at the Methodist Episcopal Church. They enjoy a beautiful home at No. 560 East High Street, Springfield. Politically, William F. Foos is a Republican. He belongs to the Lagonda Club, of which he was a charter member and served as president for several years. Mr. Foos and his brother have a country residence of 500 acres, known as "Twin Oaks Farm," on the South Charleston Pike, where he spends a good portion of his time.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN FOOS, manufacturer and capitalist, Springfield; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, in 1826; came to Springfield in 1848 and became connected with the mercantile interest of the place; in 1861, he purchased the Barnett oil-mill, and, soon after, the Steel, Lehman & Co. Mill, and has since been a large dealer in seed and oil. During the war period, he was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, being then connected with the woolen mill, since discontinued. In 1870, he became connected with P. P. Mast, the firm now being Mast, Foos & Co.; in 1876, he took hold of the St. John Sewing-Machine Factory, which, up to that time, had had a rather doubtful existence of about one year. Under his control and management, the business has grown to large proportions; further notice of this manufactory will be found elsewhere in this work. It will be seen Mr. Foos has been an important factor in the successful development of several important interests of the city, and is now one of its leading business men. He married, in 1856, Samantha Marks; from this union they have five children.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.