"F" Surnames

Foil, William Archibald

This is a name that has long enjoyed a dignified prominence in Cabarrus County and is not unknown over the state at large, since Major Foil has in many ways participated actively in state politics, though never as an office seeker and was one of Governor Kitchin's most active associates and supporters.  He is a member of a prominent old family of Cabarrus County and has long been active in business affairs at Concord, where he is a wholesale produce merchant.  

The old home is ten miles east of Concord in No. 6 township and it was there that Major William Archibald Foil was born in 1875, a son of J. W. and Hettie E. (Cline) Foil, both of whom are now deceased.  His father was born in 1850, at the same home place, and spent his life there as a farmer.  Farming has been the occupation of most of the members of this well known old family.  J. W. Foil died in September, 1915.

William A. Foil acquired his early education chiefly in the old North Carolina College at Mount Pleasant, under the instruction of that splendid educator Professor Ludwig.  He was still young when he started out to make his way in the business world, with little aid except his own character and energy.  For three years he was in business at Charlotte and from there moved to Concord.  William Foil now has a large wholesale produce business and is owner and proprietor of the Orchard Produce Company, one of the principal concerns of Concord.

Mr. Foil married Miss Addie E. Boger, member of another prominent old time German family of Cabarrus County.  Mrs. Foil is a daughter of Martin Boger of Concord.  She is also a granddaughter on her mother's side of the late Captain Orchard, who also filled a position of distinction in the civic life of Concord.  Mr. and Mrs. Foil have four children: W. Archie, Jr., Martin Boger IV, Joe Orchard and Adelaide.       

Source:  History of North Carolina: volume VI (Chicago, Illinois: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1919), 203-204.

Franklin, Laura C.

Franklin, Laura C., matron and principal; born at Concord, N. C., Oct., 1858; daughter of Dalia Holmes; ed. Scotia Seminary, Concord; married William Holmes (deceased); 2d marriage, Rev. William H. Franklin, pres. Swift Memorial College, of Rogersville, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1893.  Reared under influence of Scotia Seminary and helped in the care of its students; teacher in schools of Concord, 1870-92; became matron, 1892, matron and principal since 1893, with Swift Memorial College; devoted to child welfare work; labored unselfishly and sacrificed much for good of colored race.  Address: Swift Memorial College, Rogersville, Tenn.    

Source:  Frank Lincoln Mather, editor, Who's Who of the Colored Race: A General Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women of African Descent (Chicago, Illinois: 1915), 108.

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