Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 481.
 
JOHN A. FOISTER

     The subject of this biographical sketch is an extensive stock-raiser,
successful farmer and proprietor of the Model Saloon, in Rufus, Sherman county,
Oregon of which state he is a native, having been born in Linn county, November
17, 1867. His parents were born, the father in France; the mother in Ohio.
Josiah Foister, the father, came to the United States while yet an infant, with
his parents. They settled in St. Louis, Missouri The mother, Mary (Ford)
Foister, died when our subject was three years of age. Her mother was a native
of Pennsylvania; her father of Ohio. The father of the latter was an early
pioneer of Ohio and Illinois. At one period he owned an extensive farm where now
stands the city of Chicago.
     Our subject, was reared by his maternal grandmother until he was fifteen
years old, at which time she died in Polk county, Oregon. The death of our
subject's mother occurred in Scio, Linn county. When sixteen years of age he
began railroad work and followed the same until 1894, when he came to Sherman
county, locating at Rufus and engaging in the saloon business. In 1901 he
purchased three-quarters of a section of farming land which he rents. Annually
he winters about one hundred head of cattle.  He has two sisters living; Laura,
wife of James Leffler, Stayton postoffice, Linn county; and Arilla, wife of
Reuben A. Titus, a farmer in Gilliam county.
     Politically our subject is a Republican, active in the successive
campaigns, and frequently delegate to the county conventions of his party. For
several years he has served as school director.
     April 24, 1892, at Rufus, Mr. Foister was married to Ida M. Wallis, the
daughter of R. C. and Mary Wallis, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. 
     Mr. and Mrs. Foister have two children, Robert P., aged ten years, and
Maravine, a girl aged six years.
     Josian Foister, the father of our subject was for many years a prominent
and influential citizen of Linn and Marion counties.  He was a builder and
contractor; and erected a number of fine buildings and bridges. He participated
in the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856, and at present draws a pension as a
non-commissioned officer. He lives at Scio, Linn county, on his farm, four miles
from town. Our subject owns a fine house eligibly situated, and is a popular man
socially, and successful financially.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.