Alonzo Merrill Foster

FOSTER, ALONZO M., of Cabot, son of G. W. and Polly (Kelton) Foster, was born in Calais, Jan. 30, 1830. His father was an early settler. When much of the town was unbroken wilderness, he cleared the land, built farm buildings, and set out shade trees. Not content with this homestead, he busied himself in reducing wild lands for other farms in the neighborhood.

At twenty years of age, Alonzo M. Foster bought one-half of his father's estate on credit. He managed this property successfully for sixteen years. In 1866, he came into possession of a valuable property in Cabot, known as the “Old Camp Ground,” or “Lyford Farm,” where, although doing general farming, he has given his most energetic efforts to the manufacture of maple sugar, producing from an orchard of more than two thousand trees three to four tons annually, for which he finds a ready sale both at home and abroad. The products of “Maple Grove Sugar Camp” are becoming known and appreciated throughout the country. Mr. Foster has for years led the column of Vermont producers. It is known, though unofficially as yet, that his sugar received the highest award at the late World's Fair. Mr. Foster acted with the Free Soil party in 1852, but since then voted the Republican ticket. In 1864 and 1865 he was representative of the town of Calais to the Vermont Legislature.He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. For years he was Master of Washington Grange of Cabot. Remote from city life, he has spent a useful and quiet existence among his native hills, esteemed and respected in the community in which fortune has cast his lot. Mr. Foster was united in marriage, April 20, 1851, to Elsie W., daughter of Charles and Susan (Rich) Dudley of Calais. Their five children are : Charles D., Harry H., Ina B., Bernard M., and Linnie D. (1894)

Maple Glen Farm was well known for maple syrup. The farm was owned by Alonzo Foster, who invented an improved sap spout that would accommodate not only a bucket, but also had a hook to secure a cover over the bucket, to keep debris and animals from the sap. Alonzo's daughter, Linnie, married E. Payson Walbridge, who continued the farm and sugaring operation for many years. The farm is owned by Keith Burtt, who built a new sugar house, taps his own sugar woods, and acquired other lots.