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Benjamin Randall Foster, Sr.
February 13, 1851 - January 02, 1926
First, Middle and Last Name: Benjamin Randall Foster, Sr. |
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Date of Birth: February 13, 1851 |
Date of Death: January 02, 1926 |
Name of Father: David Wood Foster Sr. (1816-1882) |
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Name of Mother: Ruth Ann Johnson (1818-1884) |
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Birth: St. Louis, Missouri |
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Education: Bachelor of Arts (A.M.) degree in classical course, Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri |
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Military Enlistment: |
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Occupation(s): Founder and Director of Foster Academy Between 1877 and 1887; Professor Teacher; Newspaper |
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Residence(s): (1856) Winfield, Scott, Iowa; (1860) Davenport, Scott, Iowa; (1870) St. Louis, Missouri; (1880) St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; (1897) Maplewood, St. Louis, Missouri; (1900) Webster Groves, St. Louis, Missouri; (1910) Webster Groves, St. Louis, Missouri; (1920) St. Louis, Missouri; (d.) St. Louis, Missouri |
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Spouse(s): Julia Blanche Tompkins (1863-1941) m. November 26, 1885, Macoupin, Illinois |
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Siblings: Sarah Isabella (Belle) Foster (1855-1925); Mason Wood Foster (1846-1858); Emma (Birdie) F. Foster (1861-1931); Edwin Byron Foster (1846-1878) |
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Children: Hopestill Foster (1895-1920); Benjamin Randall Foster, Jr. (1897-1972); Katherine Foster (1902-1979) |
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Other: Benjamin Randall Foster, Sr. veteran Chess Editor of the Globe-Democrat for thirty seven years. |
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November 05 1880
The Fulton Gazette, Fulton, Missouri, Friday, November 05, 1880, p. 2
Sketch of Benjamin R. Foster.
[American Chess Journal.]
The subject of this sketch was born February 13, 1851 in St. Louis, Missouri, and is therefore in his thirtieth year. He learned the game of Chess in 1872, from which time he has been a faithful student of its beauties and difficulties. In the St. Louis Chess Club Tournament of 1876 he gained a prize, and in the recent match at the odds of a Knight, between Mr. Max Judd and eight of the best players of St. Louis he was one of the two only ones that beat the champion both games. During the past three years Mr. Foster has been editing with marked ability the Chess Department of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. He is a warm supporter of the game and has probably done more for Chess in the West than any other devotee. As a writer, he is clear, caustic at times, fearless and conscientious. As a problemist, he has shown a moderate degree of talent, and his article on the Art of Problem Composition, which he published in his own column, proves him to possess a thorough knowledge of problem construction. He has composed upwards of one hundred problems. As a player, he is accurate in his calculations and can sometimes conceive brilliant coups. His Chess powers are not fully developed, and when they shall have reached their acme, there is no doubt that he will rank high among Chess players.
At an early age Mr. Foster evinced an aptitude for mathematics, which is akin to Chess, and while at school greatly excelled in this branch of learning. He graduated with honor in the collegiate department of Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, and now devotes himself to his St. Louis school, of which he is principal. Just such men-enthusiastics if you may call them so—are needed to promote the cause of Chess in America.
January 03 1926
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, January 03, 1926, p. 3
CHESS EXPERT TAKES OWN LIFE IN HOME
Benjamin R. Foster, 75, Found by His Wife Shot to Death.
Benjamin R. Foster, 75, connected with the GLOBE-DEMOCRAT for thirty-seven years as chess editor and in the business office, who retired on pension about a year ago, was found dead, shot through the head in the bathroom of his home, 6163 McPherson avenue, early yesterday morning by his wife, Mrs. Julia Foster. Foster was retired because of eye trouble and it is thought this with ill health, caused his action.
Before becoming connected with the GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Foster conducted a private school, known as Foster Academy, at Sixteenth and Pine streets.. He was a graduate of Westminster College, Fulton, Mo., and in 1923 celebrated the golden anniversary of his graduation. He was a member of the class of 1873.
Foster conducted the chess column appearing in the GLOBE-DEMOCRAT before the war. He was conceded to be an expert, and his opinions were widely quoted. He is survived by his widow and two children, Randall Foster, 6626 Waterman avenue, and Mrs. G. A. Hope, 5328 Delmar boulevard.
Complete funeral arrangements have not been made, but it will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the Alexander Funeral Chapel, 6175 Delmar boulevard. An inquest will be held tomorrow morning.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, Sunday, January 03, 1926, p. 81
FOSTER—On Saturday, Jan. 2, 1926. Benjamin R. Foster, beloved husband of Julia B. Foster, dear father of Randall Foster and Mrs. Katherine Foster Hope, brother of Mary S. and Emma F. Foster.
Funeral from the Alexander & Son's chapel, 6175 Delmar, on Monday, Jan. 4, at 2:30 p.m.
Foster, Benjamin Randall ➦ bio + additional games
February 13, 1851 - January 02, 1926
