Mary Rosabella Gray a dau. of John W. Gray was born March 08, 1853 in Floyd Co., Virginia, and died December 02, 1877 in Raleigh Co., West Virginia. She married Joseph S. Foster November 09, 1871 in Raleigh Co., West Virginia. He died in Raleigh Co., West Virginia. Child of Mary Gray and Joseph Foster was: + 2 i. William L. Foster, born September 03, 1872 in Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia. Mary Rosabella died giving birth to her son, William L. Foster. Her husband did marry again and had some other children by his 2nd wife. Seeking a picture of William L. Foster. Do have a copy of a biography written about him. Have several newspaper clippings that reveals information about his careers; county sheriff, manager (owner?) of a bottling co. (produced coke bottles - Mabscott), had a funeral service in Mabscott, associated (owner/part owner?) of the Harold newspaper and also associated with the power co. at Beckley. Do have one newspaper picture of William as an older man pictured with several ex-confederates, a reunion picture. The quality of Foster is very poor. Would enjoy obtaining a couple of old coke bottles that were made during the beginning time period of the Mabscott Bottling Co. Any suggestion on how I might chase them down? The bio on William L. Foster mentions about his careers: "Mr. Foster, who is a former sheriff of the county, is president of the Raleigh Herald Company, and general manager of the Electric Light and Power Company at Beckley." "No mining development had been done, and the only use of coal in the locality was in a blacksmith shop. William L. Foster as a youth hauled wood over tracts of land underlaid with a six foot vein of coal. He was one of the very first to work in the coal mine at Glen Jean, under Superintendent J. J. Robinson. He himself became a mining superintendent. In 1898 he removed to Beckley, and was employed in the store of E. D. George and later in the store of the Raleigh Coal Company. He then engaged in the fuel business for himself. Mr. Foster in 1908 organized the Raleigh Bottling Works, and had active charge for a time. In 1912 he took charge of the Beckley Electric Light & Power Company. His election to the office of sheriff came in 1916, and during the four years he was in office he resigned the management but still remained vice president and director of the Electric Light Company. During his term of sheriff Mr. Foster probably captured more moonshine stills than all other sheriffs in the state of the county put together." Does the above newspaper and power companies still exist? If yes, can someone supply the address or an e-mail address? Thanks - Jim Gray _______________________________________________ No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com