Contributed by his great-granddaughter Louise Huber.
Zelotes Foster was born in Erie, Pa., Aug. 15, 1841, and passed away Aug. 29, 1915.
Military service: Zelotes signed up August 15, 1862 for the Minnesota Voluntary Infantry, Co C. He was just 21 on that day (his birthday) and was 5' 9" tall with ruddy complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. He was discharged for illness May 11, 1865 from Mavin General Hospital in New Orleans, LA. His commander was Major General ERS Canby. Source: NARA papers, discharge, application for pension and widows benefits.
1850 Census: Crawford Co, Summit twp., PA
Josias C. Foster age 36 carpenter bp PA
Elizabeth age 39 pb PA
Donenuis (?) age 13? pb PA
James age 11 pb PA
Zelotes age 9 pb PA
William (5)? George age 1 pb PA
Lorenzo Morehouse age 23 carpenter pb PA
1860 Census: Grafton, McKinley Co., IL
Josiah Foster 45, Carpenter, pb PA
Elizabeth 48 pb PA
Zillutes 19 day laborer, pb PA
Wm 13, pb PA
George 11, pb PA
Elizabeth 8, pb PA
Dan 5 pb PA
1870 Census: Wabasha Co., Highland twp
Foster, Zelotus age 29 farmer bp Ohio
Francis age 19
Brown, Hannah age 40
1880 Census: Wabasha Co., Plainview
Foster, Zelotes age 40 carpenter pb PA
Frances age 29
Herbert age 9 son at school pb Iowa
George age 7 son at school pb Kansas
Clyde age 4 son pb MN
Francis son age 1 pb MN
1890 Census: MN Veterans Census, Wabasha Co., Plainview
House 14, family 15
Foster, Zelotes Private Company C, Reg 10, MN Infantry
Enlisted 8-15-1862, Discharge 5-11-1865
Length of service 2 years, 8 months 26 days
Disability: piles, heart trouble, and chronic diarrhea
1900 Census: Wabasha Co, Wabasha City, MN
Foster, Zelotis 58, painter, pb PA, parents PA can read, write and speak English.
Mary 50,pb WI, father Canada (Eng), mother Ohio can read, write and speak English.
Asay E son, 14, pb MN, at school
Willy P daughter 12, pb MN at school
Flossie G (?) daughter 10, MN at school
Olive L daughter 6 MN at school
1910 Census: City of Wabasha, Wabasha CO., MN
Zelotus Foster age 67, m 41yrs, bp PA, painter/paper hanger
Mary F. age 59, m 41 yrs., children 11, 7 living, bp WI
Hawley, ollie M daughter age 18, m 1 yr, bp MN
Obituary
Bronson, Michigan ~ Friday, September 10, 1915, page 1
Zelotes Foster was born in Erie, Pa., Aug. 15, 1841, and passed away Aug. 29, 1915, at the age of 74 years and 14 days.
He went to Minnesota in 1856. On his 21st birthday, Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 10th Minn. Vol. Inf., serving in the Civil War until May 11, 1865, when he was discharged on account of disability.
On July 11, 1869, he was united in marriage to Frances Mary DeMary. Eleven children were born to this union, eight boys and three girls, four of the boys dying in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster moved to Bronson, about five years ago, where he resided until the time of his death. He was taken ill Thursday evening, Aug. 26, and passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 29, at 1 o'clock.
Besides many friends, he leaves to mourn their loss his wife, seven children: Charles H. of Rochester, Minn.; Geo. C. of Hastings, Minn., Clyde W. of Dickinson, No. Dak.; Asa E. of Valley City, No. Dak; Myra P. Ryan of this place; Flossie G. Hall of Marshalltown, Iowa; and Ollie M. Hawley of Anamose, Iowa; 14 grandchildren and 3 brothers: Will of Hamburg, Iowa; Don of Plainview, Minn; and Geo. of Chatfield, Minn. All the children except Charles H. and Ollie Hawley, were present at the funeral services, which were held at the Baptist church, Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 31, Rev. Cutler officiating. Interment in the Bronson cemetery.