Foster Farms of Illinois Celebrates 170 years of family farm ownership

BLANDINSVILLE, IL- In 1851, George Foster arrived from Sturgis, Michigan, searching for highly productive farmland. Arriving in McDonough County’s Blandinsville, he found flat fields with excellent soils. The family story says that he rested his gun against a tree and said that it was the place where he would raise his family. Many of his descendants remain in the area. He bought several pieces of land and his son R. Floyd became very successful, giving each of his children, including his son Harry, a piece of land when they left home. In the 1940’s Lloyd  Foster modernized farming practices for almost 60 years. Today, his 4th great grandson, Gary L. Blickhan, CPA of Quincy, continues the 170-year legacy of family farm ownership. The Illinois Department of Agriculture has designated the Foster farm as a Sesquicentennial Farm. It has been a long process to obtain this historical distinction by proving that the property has been owned in the family for over 150 years.

Blickhan worked with Gem City Memorials to create an unforgettable monument to commemorate the hard work and years of dedication that the Foster farm represents. CEO of Gem City Memorials, Marc Arntzen says, “Having the opportunity to create this monument was truly an honor, as we were able to display a lasting legacy of the Foster family. Remembering their hard work and commitment is why we love what we do.”

Blickhan is a partner of Gray Hunter Stenn LLP, with over 25 years of experience as a CPA tax specialist. Blickhan said, “Despite not having  the name, I am very proud of my Foster family ancestry, and I spent many days of my childhood at this farm. I appreciate the skillful work of Gem City Memorials in allowing our family to proudly celebrate our farming heritage for many years to come.” In addition, Blickhan had his grandfather’s 1955 John Deere 70 Diesel tractor completely restored, and his current project is scanning and organizing the farm’s records back  to the late 1930s.

Quincy’s oldest monument company, Gem City Memorials, was founded in 1967. In 1994, the the son of Glendon and Alma Arntzen, Marc, took over the family business. Marc’s wife, Kelly, and son, Tanner, commit to delivering excellent craftsmanship and customer service as second and third generation memorialists.