SAMUEL A. FOSTER is one of the leading citizens of Leonardville and one of the best business men of the place. He is, perhaps, more fully identified with the business interests of the town than almost, any other man in it. He is a lumber dealer and carries on an extensive and profitable trade. He is a native of Kansas, having been born in Leavenworth, Sept. 18. 1858, and is a son of John and Letitia (Sampson) Foster. John Foster is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Allegheny County, Jan. 6, 1833. He moved to Minnesota at an early date and lived there till 1857. when he moved to Leavenworth, Kan., where he worked at the carpenter's trade for a few years and then engaged in the lumber business. He continued in the latter occupation for a few years, then went to farming, which he followed some time. In 1870 he opened a lumberyard in Randolph. Kan., which is now being conducted by the Foster Lumber Company. In 1889 Mr. Foster wer.t to Kansas City. Mo., where he now resides. Mr. Foster and two of his sons are members of the Foster Lumber Company, at Kansas City, an enterprise that brings in large returns yearly and has been the means of making its stock-holders quite wealthy and influential. Mr. Foster is a thorough business man and has by his sagacity amassed a large fortune which he does not selfishly hoard, but is always ready to respond to the call of charity or other enterprises requiring liberal pecuniary aid. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and an upright, honorable man. He is a Republican in politics and although true to his convictions is not bigoted in in his views. The father of John and grandfather of Samuel Foster, was Samuel, a native of the old Keystone State, of German extraction.

Letitia Sampson, the mother of our subject, is also a native of Pennsylvania where she was born in 1834. She is the daughter of Thomas Sampson, a native of the same State and of Irish extraction. Mrs. Foster is a lady of fine, prepossessing appearance and has preserved much of the vigor of youth to the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had nine children born unto them, named respectively: Annie, Samuel A., Thomas, Benjamin,Mary, Mattie, lona, James and George. The subject of this sketch is the second child and was reared in Leavenworth where he attended the common schools and secured a fair education. While yet in his teens he commenced earning his own living. He procured employment as a clerk and continued at that work until he was about twenty-four years of age. In 1882 he moved to Leonardville and engaged in the lumber, grain and coal business, which he has continued to follow to the present time. The immense business was conducted under the name of John Foster & Sons until 1889. when the Foster Lumber Company was organized. Samuel Foster had previously purchased, Jan. 1, 1888, the business at the towns of Leonardville and Green, which he still conducts. Although a young man, his general intelligence, shrewd business management and executive ability, have placed him in the front rank of prominent and influential men in his town and have secured for him the unreserved confidence and support of all good citizens in his efforts to promote the welfare of the place. As a proof of the high esteem in which he is held, it is only necessary to say that he has been Mayor of Leonardville, and while in that office gave almost universal satisfaction. Like his father he belongs to the great Republican party and is a devoted adherent of the principles promulgated by its leaders.

Nov. 25, 1885, was a red letter day in the calendar of Samuel Foster, as on that day he led to the altar Miss Nellie Combs, a charming and intelligent young lady of Leavenworth. Kan., and in the presence of assembled friends made her his beloved wife. Mrs. Foster is a native of Leavenworth, Kan. She was born in I860, and grew to womanhood in her native town where she received a good education and is well fitted to be the companion of her devoted husband. One child, Earle, has come to cheer their hearts and fill their home with sunshine. The portrait of Mr. Foster on another page will be recognized as that of one of the most enterprising men of Leonardville. and one who has done much toward advancing her material interests.