Charles Foster (September 2, 1823 – May 23, 1877) was an American lawyer and politician. Foster, son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Foster, was born in Lansingburgh, Rensselaer County, N. Y., September 2, 1823. In 1836, his parents removed to Pompey, Onondaga County, where he was prepared for College. He graduated from Yale College in 1844. He studied law successively with Hon. Victor Birdseye, of Pompey, Hon. B. D. Noxon, of Syracuse, and Hon. John Van Buren, of Albany. In October, 1847, he was admitted to the bar, but on account of health was advised to try a more active life, and occupied himself in the cattle-trade, until January, 1853, when he began practice as a lawyer in Cortland, N. Y., where he remained until his death. He was in partnership with R. H. Duell, from January, 1857, till