S. Marion Foster

Silas Marion Foster was a teacher and attorney from Scott County who served as superintendent of schools in the 1900s.

See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: George W. Cross • Succeeded By: M.L. McDonald

Biography

Born March 10, 1877, Foster was the son of James L. Foster (1843-1915) and Lucy Ellis (1849-1924) of Huntsville. He was one of seven children, including five boys and two girls. His older brother, James Foster (1873-1944), was a practicing physician in Helenwood.

Foster married Mildred Howard (1886-1911) on May 12, 1910.

Scott County School Superintendent

Foster’s occupation was listed as teacher in the 1900 U.S. census. Shortly thereafter, in 1901, he was appointed superintendent of schools by the Scott County Quarterly Court, replacing George W. Cross. He served a total of four two-year terms in that position before leaving the post in 1909 and moving to Rockwood, Tenn. He was succeeded by M.L. McDonald.

Foster graduated law school at the University of Tennessee and joined the law office of Wright & Haggard in Rockwood, Tenn. He was named a partner in the law firm and the name was changed to Wright, Haggard & Foster just a few weeks before his death. He was also named the city attorney for Rockwood.

Death

Foster died on Jan. 22, 1911, at the age of 33. He took his own life by ingesting strychnine. He had been stricken with grief since the death of his wife, who died on Jan. 9, 1911 after a revolver accidentally discharged. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, Tenn.

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