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John T. Foster, general roadmaster of the Missouri Division of the Iron Mountain Railroad, De Soto, was born in Cook County, Ill, on September 16, 1862, and is a son of George Foster, of Schererville, Lake County, Ind. John T. Foster was reared in Lake County, whither his parents moved when he was small. When young he began as water boy on the Pan Handle Railroad, in Indiana and Illinois on construction trains, then worked three years as section hand, and the following five years at track laying. In 1882 he came to De Soto, and was foreman of the building of the new track seven months, and subsequently was roadmaster
of the Cairo Branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad four months.He was
roadmaster on the Belmont Branch three and one half years, then two
years, division roadmaster, and in August, 1887, was promoted to the
position of general roadmaster of the Missouri Divison. He is a member of the Catholic Church.