[1][2] Foster was raised and educated in Belchertown until he was thirteen, when his parents relocated, first to Oswego, Illinois, and then to Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

[3] After reaching adulthood, Foster and a brother began a westward journey, intending to settle in Colorado.

[3] Foster turned back and made the return trip as far as Missouri, where he remained after accepting a teaching position.

[5] In addition to logging, Foster became active in other ventures, including publishing the Winona Express newspaper.

[7] In addition, Foster operated a freight forwarding and commission merchant business in Lake City and Red Wing.

[3] Foster's other business interests included the Wilkeson Coal & Coke Company, as well as real estate development in Tacoma, Washington and elsewhere.

[8] Davis did not become an active candidate, and the Republican nomination was won by William McKinley,[9] who went on to win the general election.

[14] In addition, he was a member of the committees on Agriculture, Fisheries, Woman Suffrage, and Revolutionary War Claims.