Richard Foulkes From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing
biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894) RICHARD FOULKES since 1874 has been engaged in the milling business in Henderson County. He is a native of Wales, his birth having occurred in that country on the 7th of April, 1825. His parents, Richard and Ann (Thomas) Foulkes, were also born there. Their family numbered three children, two sons and a daughter: Richard, of this sketch; Elizabeth, widow of Ed Farrier, of Sperry, Iowa; and Edward, who makes his home in Chicago. The father of this family was a farmer, and died when our subject was only twelve years of age. Richard Foulkes acquired the greater part of his education in his native land, but also attended school for a short time in Utica, N. Y. He left his childhood's home in 1844, crossing the broad Atlantic to America, and on reaching the shores of the New World took up his residence in Utica, where he worked at the miller's trade for two years, having learned the same ere his emigration. In 1846, he became a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and in that city carried on the milling business until 1849, when he removed to Akron, Ohio. Three years were there passed, and in 1852 he went to Iowa, locating in Burlington, where he successfully engaged in milling for a number of years. During his residence in the Hawkeye State, Mr. Foulkes was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Evans, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Jones) Evans. Her parents were natives of Wales, and at an early day crossed the briny deep, locating in Quebec, Canada. To Mr. and Mrs. Foulkes have been born six children, four sons and two daughters, and the family circle remains unbroken. George R., the eldest, is now living in Galesburg, Ill.; Mary G. is the wife of D. Morton, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Charles J. makes his home in Denmark, Iowa; Minnie N. is the wife of Samuel Cobel, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; David G. also resides in Los Angeles; and Perry L. is located in the same city. Mr. Foulkes continued in the milling business in Burlington until 1874, when he crossed the Mississippi into Henderson County, and has since carried on business as the proprietor of the Henderson River Mill, commonly known as Foulkes' Mill. This enterprise has proved remunerative, and yields to him a comfortable competence. The owner is a man of enterprise and industry, which, combined with his sagacity and foresight, has made him one of the prosperous citizens of the community. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, but has had neither time nor inclination to seek public office. He belongs to Washington Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F., of Burlington, Iowa, and he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. In the community where they live they are widely and favorably known, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of their lives. |