Richard Foster

Richard Baxter Foster (October 25, 1826 – March 30, 1901) was an American abolitionist, Union Army officer, and initial head of a college for African Americans in Jefferson City, Missouri. During the American Civil War, Foster volunteered to be an officer for the 1st Missouri Regiment of Colored Infantry regiment of the U.S. Army, largely recruited in Missouri, and helped set up educational program for its soldiers. In 1866 Foster headed the new college in Jefferson City, the Lincoln Institute, with financial support from his former regiment. The college is now named Lincoln University.

Early life and education Foster was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on October 25, 1826, to Richard and Irene Bourroughs Foster. He was educated in Congregationalist schools, Under the Morrill Act of 1890, Missouri designated the school as a land-grant university, emphasizing agriculture, mechanics, and teaching.

Foster left the position as principal of the school in 1870 and 1871 in favor of Payne, but returned to become principal for part of 1871.

On October 23, 1851, in Brooklyn, Illinois, Foster married Jemine Ewing, daughter of John Logan Ewing and Elizabeth Cleland, with whom he had one son. Jemine died on October 3, 1853, in Jacksonvville. Foster's second marriage was at Clay, Iowa, on March 8, 1855, to Lucy Reed, daughter of Festus Reed and Sarah Ann Woodruff. What do Congregationalists Believe? (1896)