"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 302.  Baker County.

EMIL F. FOERSTERLING

     This public spirited citizen and enterprising blacksmith, farmer, and
stockraiser of the neighborhood on Sisley creek, northeast of Weatherby, is a
native of Prussia, born August 9, 1841.  When eight years old he accompanied his
parents across the ocean to America, and his first home in the new world was in
Louisville, Kentucky.  He attended school there for half a decade, then went to
Jacksonville, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for a time and afterwards
learned the trade of a blacksmith.  In April, 1861, the even tenor of his life
was somewhat rudely interrupted by the necessity of his obeying the call of
patriotism.  He enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Infantry, and served three
months, and in the following April, he again enlisted, this time in the First
Missouri Cavalry.  He participated in several severe engagements, and once was
captured by the rebels, being afterwards exchanged, but escaped without even a
wound.  His war record was a very honorable one and one of which he and his
family have cause for pardonable pride.
     After the last disloyal gun had been silenced, Mr. Foersterling worked at
his handicraft in Dwight, Illinois, for a number of years, but in 1886, he
emigrated to Baker county, and located on the place on which we now find him.
He has a good farm, a comfortable home, an orchard of choice varieties of
fruit-trees, and quite a herd of stock on the ranch.
     Mr. Foersterling takes a very active interest in the cause of education, as
he does in all other things which have for their object the amelioration of
conditions and the promotion of the public good.  He has served either as school
director or as clerk for the past twelve years, ever discharging his duties with
faithfulness and good judgment.
     On May 25, 1865, our subject married Miss Mary E., daughter of William and
Christina Niemeyer, and to their union thirteen children have been born, of whom
eight are still living, namely, Edward C., Henrietta B., now Mrs. Thomas Roach,
of Weatherby; Leonora L., Jesse W., Willis H., Mildred J., Meta E., and
Frederick L.  Mr. Foersterling is a prominent member of the G.A.R., U.S. Grant
post at Huntington, and is also affiliated with the I.O.O.F.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.