Sarah Margaret Shuey Foss papers

Sarah Margaret Shuey Foss, a teacher and wife of Augustana College history professor Claude William Foss, was born 14 February 1863 near Staunton, Virginia. She moved to Rock Island in January 1886 to serve as assistant principal at Fairview Academy, a school for women near the Augustana College campus, keeping in touch with her parents and siblings after moving away. She married Claude Foss on 2 August 1887. They did not have any biological children, but they raised an orphaned niece, Martha. Margaret also served as president of the Augustana College and Theological Seminary Endowment Fund Society for a majority of the years from 1898 through 1920. In addition to the Endowment Fund Society, she also participated in the Monday Study Club, a women’s club dedicated to investigating different topics of members’ choice, and the Woman’s Club of Rock Island. She passed away on 1 April 1949.

Martha Foss was, like her adoptive mother, involved in the Rock Island Woman’s Club and the Endowment Fund Society. She was also a singer, performing for events at church and other local organizations. She graduated from Augustana College in 1912 and taught German at East Moline High School as an adult before marrying Paul Silas, Augustana College class of 1911, on 10 June 1919. She had two children. Martha died 13 September 1985.