Born in 1846.
Born in Rainsboro, a farm village in Highland county, in the state of Ohio, young Foraker in 1863 enlisted as a volunteer, being at the time but sixteen years of age. In all the active service of his regiment he participated, and rose successively from orderly sergeant to the rank of first lieutenant. Late in the summer of 1863 he was sent home on recruiting duty. On his return to the army he reached his regiment just as it was going into the battle of Mission Ridge. Taking charge of his company, he led them to the assault, and was the first man of the regiment to scale the enemy's works.
After this he participated in the charge of Rocky Face, in the Atlanta campaign, Buzzards' Roost, Resaaca, Burnt Hickory and other places.
After the fall of Atlanta he was detailed for duty in the signal service corps. He marched with Sherman to the sea, and served to the close of the war, when he was mustered out at the age of nineteen.
He then studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1879 he was elected to Hamilton county superior court. In 1883 he was nominated for governor, in 1884 led the Ohio delegation for Blaine, and in 1885 he was elected governor.
