Mr.Foss was born in Candia, N.H., in June, 1858.

Through his ancestor, Stephen Batcheller, he had kinship with Daniel Webster, John Greenleaf Whittier, and William Pitt Fessenden.
Mr.Foss secured an interest in the Lynn _Union_, and it was while engaged in publishing that newspaper that he made the discovery that he could be a "funny man." The man having charge of the funny column left suddenly, and Mr.Foss decided to see what he could do in the way of writing something humorous to fill the column.

He had never done anything of this kind before, and was surprised and pleased to have some of his readers congratulate him on his new "funny man." He continued to write for this column and for a long time his identity was unknown, he being referred to simply as the "Lynn _Union_ funny man." His ability finally attracted the attention of Wolcott Balestier, the editor of _Tit-Bits_, who secured Mr.Foss's services for that paper.

Before long he became connected with _Puck_, _Judge_, and several other New York periodicals, including the New York _Sun_.
Mr.Foss's first book was published in 1894, and was entitled _Back Country Poems_ and has passed through several editions.

_Whiffs from Wild Meadows_ issued in 1896 has been fully as successful.