Mrs. Silas Foster

Mrs. Silas Foster died at her home in this city on last Monday after an illness of several years during which time she endured much physical pain and mental anguish, aged 65 years.

Deceased came with her husband, who, died about four years ago, from Burt County and located on a farm near the Summers school, six miles northwest of Blair, in the year 1880, and lived there until about six years ago. Since her husband’s death she has lived alone. Two daughters were born to her, the eldest, Millie, dying many years ago soon after her marriage, the other now Mrs. James Dowling, living on the home farm near the Summers school.

Funeral service was held at the Methodist Church at 2 o’clock p.m., Wednesday, Rev. J. W. Lewis, pastor of the church, officiating and burial was in the Blair Cemetery by the side of her husband.

#2 The following from 22 March 1916 Tribune

Mrs. Silas Foster Gone

Mary Ann Smith was born near Galesville, Washington County, N.Y., September 18, 1850. She came to Barry County, Michigan, with her parents in 1855. Here she grew to young womanhood. She was married May 6, 1866, to Silas Foster. To this union were born two children, Millie, who died November 26, 1891, and Belle, now Mrs. James Dowling. Mrs. Foster, with her husband, moved from Michigan to Burt County, Nebraska, in 1872.

In 1880, the family moved to a farm six and one-half miles, northwest of Blair, where they lived until 1910, when they moved to the present home in Blair, where Mr. Foster passed away May 31, 1912.

Since then Mrs. Foster has continued to live in the home. Her health had been very poor for many years, and since Mr. Foster’s death, she had failed very fast though she had kept up until about ten days ago, when the final collapse came. She passed to the great beyond, Monday afternoon, Mar. 20, 1916, aged 65 years, six months and to days.

She leaves to mourn her death, one daughter, Mrs. James Dowling, who lives on the old home farm, one granddaughter and one grandson, Glen Cole of this city, to brothers Phin Smith, of Hastings, Michigan, and Merritt Smith of this city.

Funeral services held at the Methodist Church today, at 2 o’clock. Rev. Lewis officiating. Interment at Blair Cemetery.

#3 Printed in the March 23, 1916 Blair Democrat

MRS. MARY FOSTER DIES AT HER HOME MONDAY

Mrs. Mary Foster died of diabetes on Monday at her residence in this city at the age of sixty-five. The deceased had been a resident of Washington county since the early seventies when she settled with her husband near the Summers school house. Five years ago the family moved to Blair where they have since resided.

Mary Smith was born in Washington county, New York, on September 18th, 1850, and moved to Michigan with her parents when a girl. She married Silas Foster at Carleton, Michigan, in May, 1866. Mr. Foster died on Decoration Day, 1915, and is buried in the Blair Cemetery. One daughter, Millie (Mrs. Nat Cole) died Nov. 26th, 1891, and a daughter, Mrs. James Dowling, and one grandson, Glen Cole, still reside in Blair. Two brothers of the deceased survive the family, Merritt Smith, of this city, and Funneth Smith, of Hastings, Michigan.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church on Wednesday at two o'clock, Rev. Lewis officiating.

~~~obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #8594501