David Kirby Foster
Encyclopedia
David Kirby or “D.K.” Foster (1882-1969) was a prominent Baptist
minister, influential community leader in Arkansas
and Missouri
, and a friend and counselor to President Harry S. Truman
. After graduating from the seminary, Foster worked as both an educator and minister in Arkansas and Missouri. Foster eventually became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Caruthersville, Missouri, a position which he held for 27 years, and was an active supporter of the Democratic Party
.
While he never ran for office himself, Foster had the reputation of being the Reverend of “1000 votes,” and many candidates for state office would seek his endorsement before making their runs. During Harry S. Truman
’s 1934 run for the United States Senate
, he was virtually unknown in southeast Missouri, and what was known concerned his negative associations with the Pendergast
machine. After being rebuffed by local Democrats, he sought the assistance of Foster, who arranged for Truman to make a speech at the Pemiscot County courthouse in Caruthersville, Missouri. Truman made a very favorable impression during the speech, and Foster’s support was later credited with winning Truman the southeast Missouri vote and perhaps the entire election for the Senate.
Afterwards, Truman and Foster struck up a lifelong friendship, and Truman would visit Foster and his family during what would become yearly visits to Caruthersville. Correspondence between the two is maintained by the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
in Independence, Missouri
.
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister, influential community leader in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, and a friend and counselor to President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
. After graduating from the seminary, Foster worked as both an educator and minister in Arkansas and Missouri. Foster eventually became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Caruthersville, Missouri, a position which he held for 27 years, and was an active supporter of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
While he never ran for office himself, Foster had the reputation of being the Reverend of “1000 votes,” and many candidates for state office would seek his endorsement before making their runs. During Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
’s 1934 run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, he was virtually unknown in southeast Missouri, and what was known concerned his negative associations with the Pendergast
Tom Pendergast
Thomas Joseph Pendergast controlled Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri as a political boss. "Boss Tom" Pendergast gave workers jobs and helped elect politicians during the Great Depression, becoming wealthy in the process.-Early years:Thomas Joseph Pendergast, also known to close friends as...
machine. After being rebuffed by local Democrats, he sought the assistance of Foster, who arranged for Truman to make a speech at the Pemiscot County courthouse in Caruthersville, Missouri. Truman made a very favorable impression during the speech, and Foster’s support was later credited with winning Truman the southeast Missouri vote and perhaps the entire election for the Senate.
Afterwards, Truman and Foster struck up a lifelong friendship, and Truman would visit Foster and his family during what would become yearly visits to Caruthersville. Correspondence between the two is maintained by the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
The Harry S Truman Library and Museum is dedicated to preserving papers, books, and other historical materials relating to the 33rd President of the United States Harry S Truman. It is located on a small hill facing U.S...
in Independence, Missouri
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
.