SAMUEL T. FOSTER, M. D., who has been engaged in the general practice of his profession at Adel, county of Dallas County, since 1920, was born at Bellville, Province of Ontario, Canada, March 28, 1873, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Wark) Foster, the former of whom likewise was born in that province and Ireland.  Thomas Foster became a manufacturer of axes and other edged tools, and was a resident of Pembroke, Ontario, at the time of his death, in April, 1897, his widow having there passed away in 1903.

After completing his studies in the high school at Pembroke, Ontario, the subject of this sketch, from the age of fourteen to seventeen entered his father's factory and learned the tool manufacturing trade.  He then entered McMaster University, in the City of Toronto, and in that institution he was graduated as a member of the class 1896.  He received at that time the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and from the same university he received in 1900 the degree of Bachelor of Theology.  From the latter year until 1905 he was a successful teacher in the public schools of North Dakota, and then went to the City of Chicago and took a course in electrical engineering, at the Armour Institute of Technology.  From 1907 until 1913 he was retained in the employ of the Chicago Telephone Company, as a skilled electrician, and in that city he then entered the medical department of Northwestern University.  In that great institution he was graduated in June, 1918, and after thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he initiated his service as an interne in St. Luke's Hospital, one of the largest and most important in that city.  In 1919 he became a diplomat of the National Board of Medical examiners, following this he served as chief interne in that hospital, and January 1, 1920, he came to Adel, Iowa, and succeeded to the well established practice of Dr. D. G. Barklow.  Here he since continued his able and loyal professional activities, and the scope and character of his practice mark him as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Dallas County.  The doctor has membership in the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, as has he also in the Des Moines Academy of Medicine.  Since 1920 he has been county physician of Dallas County in charge of medical service at the county Home and in the Township of Adel.  He is a Mason, also has membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is a Past Worthy Matron.  He has membership in the local Rotary and Hobby Clubs of Adel, the University Club of Des Moines and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.  He is a member of the Adel Public Library Board.

August 7, 1907, marked the marriage of Doctor Foster to Miss Maude L. Throop, of Brockville, Ontario, Canada, where she was born, she having been graduated in Moulton Ladies College, Toronto, as a member of the Class of 1901 and having there taken advance studies in music.  Hope E., only child of Doctor and Mrs. Foster, was born in the city of Chicago, September 25, 1910.  She attended public schools of Ontario, Canada, and Adel, Iowa, and graduated from the Adel High School as a member of the class of 1927, having thereafter been a student one year in her father's academic alma mater, McMaster University, Toronto, and attended the college of liberal arts at the University of Des Moines, where she majored in dramatic art and public speaking, and graduated from the Capital City Commercial College in 1930.

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A Narrative History of THE PEOPLE OF IOWA with Special Treatment of their Chief Enterprises in Education, Religion, Valor, Industry, Business, Etc. by Edgar Rubey Harlan, LL. B., A.M., Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa

Vol. IV; The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1931

Iowa History Project