Josiah Foster, of the firm of Reynolds, Foster & Co., of Fort Smith, was born in Crawford County, Ark., at Van Buren, May 13, 1849, and is a son of Riley and Luama (Snyder) Foster. The father was born in Howard County, Mo., and was a son of Josiah Foster, a native of Alabama. By occupation he was a farmer and trader. The mother was a native of Kentucky, and was a daughter of Cornelius Snyder, a native of Germany.

Our subject grew to manhood in Van Buren, and since 1875 has been engaged in the mercantile business. He was a member of the Van Buren City Council five years, and was one of the originators of the Citizen's Bank and the Van Buren Ice & Coal Company, in both of which he was a stockholder and director. He was also director of the Crawford County Fair Association, and from 1869 until 1873 served as United States Deputy Marshal.

He was married in Crawford County, Ark., January 30, 1872, to Miss C. D. Turner, a native of Missouri, and daughter of S. D. Turner. To them two sons and one daughter have been born: John Edmund, Josiah and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Foster attend the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the latter is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Foster is a Mason, and was knighted in the Jacques DeMolay commandery. He also be longs to the I. O. O. F. encampment, and has represented his lodge in the State councils.