Benjamin Foust, who is one of the substantial farmers of Rush County, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in November 1830, being the son of George and Catherine (Vance) Foust, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. His father was the son of Lewis and Barbara (Bowman) Foust, who were natives of Virginia. His mother was the daughter of John and Barbara (Smith) Vance. Both his parents and maternal great grandparents were natives of Germany. When he was a young child less than two years old his parents came to Rush County, Indiana and became early settlers of Ripley Township, in which his early life was spent assisting to clear and cultivate the farm on which his mother died January 4, 1839, and on which his father still continues to reside. When he reached maturity, he engaged at farming for himself, and he has ever since pursued that avocation in Ripley Township. In this connection he has had good success. He owns a farm of seventy-three acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. It contains a splendid barn and an elegant brick residence, which with its natural facilities makes a very desirable location. When Mr. Foust began life for himself he had nothing; his only capital was willing hands and a mental capacity to direct them with prudence. With these he went to work and the present state of his circumstances reflects very creditably upon his industry and good management. He was married March 1, 1855, to Miss Cornelia E. Reid, who was born in Marion County, Indiana, November 3, 1835, being the daughter of John B.E. and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Reid, who were natives of South Carolina, and Scott County, Kentucky, respectively. Her father was the son of Archibald and Martha (Alexander) Reid, and her mother was the daughter of Jacob, and Euphemia (Cannon) Wolfe, who were natives of Maryland and Delaware, respectively. Her parents settled in Marion County in 1830. Her father died there, August 25th, 1838, and her mother afterward married John Addison, who died November 14th, 1859. She still survives and lives in Knightstown. Mr. and Mrs. Foust had five children as follows: The first was a son, that was born April 12, 1858, and died unnamed; the second is Laura A., born July 30, 1858, and Ida C, born March 20, 1860, died October 2, 1865, Emma G, born September 9, 1869, and Earl R, born August 24, 1871, died September 19, 1871. Mrs. Foust is a member of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Foust is an Uncompromising Democrat.
 History of Rush County Indiana 1888 Brant & Fuller, Chicago
Contributed by Darlene Anderson