Senator William A. Foster View All Years

Senator De Armand, from the Special Committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorative of the life of the late Hon. W. A. Foster, submitted the following report and moved its adoption:

Mr. President—Your committee named to present suitable resolutions in commemoration of the life and public services of the late Hon. W. A. Foster, of Davenport, report as follows:

Whereas, We do honor to ourselves and our best impulses when we lay aside our daily labors to pay respect to the memory of those who have rendered distinguished service to the public, it is

Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow the announcement of the death of Hon. William A. Foster, late a member of this body, and that the business of the Senate be now suspended in order that fitting tribute be paid to his memory, and to perpetuate the same, that the following be spread upon our records.

IN MEMORIAM.

William A. Foster.

Born July 24, 1842, at Blue Grass, Iowa.

Died May 25, 1907, at Davenport, Iowa.

Enlisted May 11, 1864, Company “I” 44th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, served full term of enlistment in Civil War.

Admitted to practice law in the district court of Iowa as a member of the Scott county bar, October, 1866.

Senator from Scott county from January 1, 1878, to January 1, 1882.

William A. Foster was one of those rare men of his generation who had the happy faculty of greeting all with a pleasant smile, a merry jest or pleasing reminiscence. His apt knowledge of human nature, combined with his great natural talents, redered him a powerful advocate, and he at once attained prominence as a successful trial lawyer. His exceptional gifts as an orator, and entertainer, caused him to be always in demand on both public occasions and in private gatherings.

As a campaign orator he answered the calls of county, congressional, state and National committees, and toured with Senator John A. Logan and men of that class in speaking campaigns.

On the night of May 4, 1886, there occurred one of the most spectacular scenes that blot the history of the country, known as the Haymarket Riot, and then followed one of the most decisive battles of the law, known as the Chicago Anarchists’ case. August Spies, editor of the “Arbeiter Zeitung,” was the ablest man of those put on trial and despite the bitterness of public feeling, Mr. Foster as his counsel won the unstinted praise of the profession, the press, and the thinking public for the freedom, fervency, zeal, and the exceptional ability and brilliancy with which he conducted his defense, and Hon. Joseph E. Gary, the presiding judge, in a review of the trial published in 1893, makes special mention of Mr. Foster and his masterful effort on that occasion.

In the celebrated trial for the murder of Dr. Cronin, known as the Clan-na-gael case he successfully defended John F. Beggs, one of the principal defendants, with an ability that is seldom, if ever equalled.

These are a part of the notable events of world-wide significance in which he took part. Space is too short to recount the many achievements which make his life an honor to the State of Iowa.