Bio: Foss, William G. (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

William G. Foss

William G. Foss, one of the leading lumbermen of Tomahawk, Lincoln County, is an energetic man of sound principles and good judgment. His birth occurred August 11, 1864, in Genesee County, N. Y., near Rochester. His father, Kingsley Foss, a native of New York, wedded Matilda Harris, who was born in Empire State, New England, ancestry, her parents being natives of Connecticut. By this union were born eleven children, of whom James, Florence, Lois, Ella and William G., are still living; Sylvester, Carrie and Frank lived to adult age, and are now deceased; the others died in childhood. In 1875 the family emigrated to Michigan, settling in Pontiac, where the father, who was a harness maker, opened a shop and began the manufacture of harness, employing several men. For three years they remained in that place when they removed to Fenton, Mich., and where the father died in 1881; his widow is now living with her daughter in Chicago. He had one brother, Joseph. In political sentiment he was a Republican, and while still a resident of New York, served as sheriff of his county.

Our subject pursued his studies in the common schools of Michigan, and at the age of fifteen years left home, going north to Cadillac, Mich., where he became foreman in a lumber yard, and there remained for four years. In Big Rapids, Mich., he was then employed by the same firm some six years, when he came to Tomahawk, Wis., arriving here in April, 1889, and became grader for the Tomahawk Lumber Company. All his life had been spent in lumbering, and he is thoroughly acquainted with every branch of the business. In the spring of 1894 he became interested in others in the Somo Fox Factory, one of the leading industries of the city, yielding to the owners a good income.

At Big Rapids, Mich., in May, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Foss and Miss Tenna Moyer, who was born in Canaseraga, Allegany Co., N. Y., daughter of George and Elizabeth (Greenfield) Moyer, who were the parents of two children: William and Tenna. Her father, who was a native of Germany, came to the New World with his parents when quite small, locating on a farm which his father operated. The mother of Mrs. Foss was born in New York, and there her husband died in 1880. By occupation he was a locomotive engineer, and served as such both in New York and Mexico. A son has been born to our subject and his wife, named Glenn A. Mr. Foss is identified with the Republican Party, and is at present serving as alderman from the Fourth Ward. Socially he is a member of the K. O. T. M. He has achieved success by unremitting toil, directed by good business principles, and is numbered among the wide-awake and highly esteemed citizens of Tomahawk.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 328-329