He graduated from the law department of Lake Forest University, Chicago, in 1900.

He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in the United States Treasury Department.

[1] In 1932, Foulkes defeated incumbent Republican John C. Ketcham to be elected as a Democrat from Michigan's 4th congressional district to the United States House of Representatives for the 73rd Congress, serving from March 4, 1933, to January 3, 1935.

[2] In 1935, Foulkes was convicted of receiving illegal political contributions from postmasters and sentenced to eighteen months in prison and to pay $1,000 fine.

[3] He resumed agricultural pursuits and engaged as an author and in farm-organization work.