He is my 2nd great-grandfather.

From a book found at Clayton Library in Houston, Tx., The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Chicago: O L Baskin & Co., Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn St. in 1879. Reproduced by Unigraphic Inc/1401 No. Fares Ave. 1976. (Various pages)

ORRIN E. FOSTER, who seems to have been a kind of leader of this little colony, was a native of Vermont, but had removed to Canada, and from there came to the West with this party, as mentioned. He engaged in the hotel business, and kept the second house of entertainment, perhaps, in Mason county. Subsequently, he bought a farm, three miles east of the city of Havana, which was his home until his death, an event that occurred in 1843. His widow married Eliphaz Low, an early settler of this township, the result of which union was two sons, Anson and Rufus Low. There were four children by the first marriage: J. R. and George Foster, Mrs. Wheeler, and Mrs. Nash. J. R., or Judd Foster, as he is familary called, is a member of the firm of Low & Foster, grain dealers, and is a business man who stands as high as any in Mason County. In 1836, the following recruits were added to the settlement. The Low brothers, . . . came originally from the old Bay State, and consisted of three brothers, Francis, Tomas and Eliphaz, of whom none are now living, except Francis. He, at the age of eighteen years, came West, stopping at Louisville, Ky., where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1834, he went to Cincinnati, from there, he went to St. Louis, and came here as above. The Lows, together with Pulaski Scoville, built a steam saw mill here at an early day, which sawed timbers for buildings in Alton and St. Louis, and for the first railroad built in the Mississippi Valley, as well as for the houses erected in this section of the country. Francis Low was Deputy Sheriff of Mason County after its formation. He served as Sheriff two terms, and assisted in building the Illinois River Railroad. Mr. Low has always been an energetic business man, taking a lively interest in everything calculated to promote the welfare of this town and country. He took an active part in organizing the Havana National Bank, of which he is President. Thomas and Eliphaz Low came in the spring of 1836, while Francis came the fall following. They made claims on Quiver and were honored an respected citizens. Thomas died about 1846, and Eliphaz in 1864. The latter has a son living at present in the city of Havana, engaged in the grain business (firm of Low & Foster), and is one of the substantial business men of the city.

Further note from History of Mason County book: Orrin Foster kept the next hotel after Ross (Ross having the first). There are now (1879) three hotels in the city, the Taylor House, great resort of commercial salesmen and the traveling public generally. The other two are less pretentious, but have a good run of custom.