WILLIAM H. FOSTER
WILLIAM H. FOSTER was born January 1, 1860 in Port Hope, Ontario
Canada.
ETTA MOONEY
ETTA MOONEY was the daughter of Robert Mooney, who was born in 1876 in Alpena, Alger
County, Michigan. His family immigrated from Skibberean, County Cork, Ireland. Her mother
was Katherine L. "Kate" Wynn.
Etta was known to be an opera singer and was from a very musical and talented family.
MARRIED LIFE
William Foster and Etta Mooney married on December 29, 1988 and lived in Alpena, Michigan.
They had three children:
I. WILLIAM H. FOSTER, JR. was born October 14, 1889 in Alpena, Alger County, Michigan and died November 10, 1890 in Alpena, Alger County, Michigan.
II. FRANK R. FOSTER was born February 13, 1892 in Alpena, Alger County, Michigan and died in a drowning accident on June 17, 1907 in Alpena, Alger County, Michigan. Frank was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Alpena, Alger County, Michigan.
III. ETTA "SHIRLEY" FOSTER was born April 7, 1895 in Alpena, Alger County, Michigan and died September 5, 1985 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California.
Shirley, as she was more commonly known to her family and friends, married CLARENCE DEAN WILLIS which ended in divorce October 16, 1937 in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada.
Shirley later met and married CARL EDWIN JACOBSON between 1941 and 1945 in Santa Clara County, California.
William Foster died on July 3, 1899 at the young age of 39 years.
William's Obituary:
Died, at Alpena, Mich., July 3rd, 1899, William H. Foster at the age of 39 years.
Mr. Foster was born at Port Hope, Ontario, and came to this city some 19 years ago; he soon
after 
entered the employ
of Geo. N. Fletcher & Co., with which concern he had remained ever since, with the exception
of two years when he was employed at Ossineke, Mich.
Mr. Foster was married December 29, 1888, to Miss Etta Mooney, and three children were born
to the parents-one of whom died in infancy and the other two, Frankie, aged 7 and
Shirley aged 4, were left at the time of his death.
Mr. Foster has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his employers who at the time
of his death did all in their power to soften the affliction which came to the stricken wife.
For many years he has been active in church and Sunday school work, and since 19 years of
age he has been an earnest and consistent Christian.
In his loss his children are bereft of a loving father, his wife a devoted husband, and
the church a faithful deacon and member.
He united with the First Baptist church of Alpena, March 13th, 1888, from which church
his funeral services were held; and he was carried, like Stephen, by devout men to burial,
Thursday, July 6th, 1899.
In his comment on the deceased the pastor made mention of his faith; his fidelity to the
church, and his preparedness to respond to the Master's call.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."
More about William Foster:
Burial: July 06, 1899, Evergreen Cemetery, Alpena, Alger County, Michigan
Funeral: July 06, 1899, First Baptist Church, Alpena
Occupation: Watchman (per 1887-1892 Directory)
Religion: Baptist
From the Alpena, Michigan City Directory of 1900: Etta Foster lived at 504 First Street with son Frank R. and daughter Etta S.