Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Corps Replacement Battalion. There he
remained until November 3rd, going then
to the Sixth Army Corps as assistant corps
gas officer. They moved into Luxembourg
on December 24th, and Mr. Keeler
vi^as then transferred to Headquarters
Troop, 6th Army Corps. He remained
there until April 28, 1919, when he started
for home, landing in Boston, May 27,
X919, and receiving his discharge at Camp
Dix in June, 1919.
The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Keeler
are numerous. He is past master of St.
John's Lodge, No. 6, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, and affiliates v^rith
Washington Chapter, No. 28, Royal Arch
Masons ; Clinton Commandery, No. 3,
Knights Templar, all of Norwalk; the
Connecticut Consistory, Norwich, Con-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Norwalk Chapter of Rose Croix
necticut ;
Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem
; and King Solomon Lodge of
Perfection ; Pyramid Temple, Mystic
Shrine, of Bridgeport ; the Patrol ; and the
Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Keeler has proved himself an able
business man, a good citizen and a brave
soldier. Such a record is the best promise
for the time to come.
(The Foster Line).
This ancient name, which is a contrac-
tion of Forrester and Forester, first became
known in history when Sir Richard
Forester, then called by his Latinized
name of Forestarius, went to England
with his brother-in-law, William the Con-
queror, and at the age of sixteen participated
in the battle of Hastings. Throughout
the subsequent history of England
this family was among the most distin-
guished, being the principal chieftains in
Northumberland, and of high standing in
the counties of Galway and Clare, Ireland.
(I) Christopher Foster, born in 1603,
in England, sailed from London, in 1635,
;
385
on the "Abigail," and in 1637 was made
a freeman in Boston. The same year he
became a resident of Lynn, where he
owned sixty acres. In 165 1 he went to
Southampton, Long Island, where he was
still living in 1670. The Christian name
of his wife, whom he married in England,
was Frances. Christopher Foster died
in 1687.
(II) Joseph Foster, son of Christopher
and Frances Foster, was born in 1638,
and lived in Southampton. The name of
his wife is unknown. The death of Jo-
seph Foster occurred January 30, 1708.
(III) Joseph (2) Foster, son of Joseph
(i) Foster, was born in 1665, in Southampton,
where he appears to have lived
all his life. He married there, and died
in 1704.
(IV) Josiah Foster, son of Joseph (2)
Foster, was born about 1698, on Long
Island, where he continued to live. He
married .
(V) Timothy Foster, son of Josiah
Foster, lived in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
He married there (first), in 1748, Sarah
Smith, who died November 24, 1751. He
married (second) Mrs. (Corn-
wall) Ketchum. His death occurred prior
to 1776.
(VI) Jonah Foster, son of Timothy
and Sarah (Smith) Foster, was born November
14, 1751. He lived in Ridgefield
and Redding, Connecticut. He married,
in 1778, Hannah Benedict, who was born
February 28, 1762, and died December 22,
1834, surviving her husband many years,
he having passed away on December 17,
1815.
(VII) John Benedict Foster, son of
Jonah and Hannah (Benedict) Foster,
was born January 17, 1785. He learned
the cloth-dressing industry in his father's
mill. Later he moved to Sullivan county,
New York, where he had his own establishment.
Thence he migrated to South