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. 889.
 
JOHN A. FOSTER

     resides some six miles south of Summer Lake postoffice on the west bank of
Summer Lake. He has a splendid farm of two hundred acres extending for a mile
and more along the lake front and here he has resided for many years. The farm
is well improved and equipped with a good six room residence, barns and other
outbuildings and is one of the choice ones of the county. It is so situated that
if is especially adapted for raising both grain and fruit as well as all kinds
of vegetables. Mr. Foster has an orchard that contains every kind of fruit
adapted to this climate and he has made a great success in this line. He raises
corn, tomatoes, watermelons in abundance and potatoes grow so thrifty that the
larger ones will weigh over four pounds apiece. In addition to general farming,
Mr. Foster pays great attention to handling blooded stock; he has between thirty
and fifty Shorthorn animals all prize winners and from the best strains imported
into this state by Mr. Miner of Heppner, Oregon. One animal that Mr. Foster owns
weighs over two thousand pounds and is still under three years of age. In all
his labors here, Mr. Foster has met with the success deserved by his thrift,
wisdom, and stability and he is one of the leading men in this part of the
country. This valley where he resides has always been famous for its wild game,
such as almost every kind of fowl, besides bear, cougar, deer and other animals.
It is still a great paradise for the sportsman.
     John A. Foster was born December 29, 1851, near Corvallis, Oregon. His
parents were James and Elizabeth (Currier) Foster. He grew up on the old
homestead with his parents in Benton county and there received his education. As
early as 1872, he came to Summer Lake valley, being among the very first
settlers here. He located on his present place, taking it as a homestead and for
over thirty years, he has resided here. He came in as a sturdy young pioneer
with no means except two good strong hands and abundance of grit, and everything
that he now possesses is the result of his own labor and wisdom. In addition to
the stock mentioned, which Mr. Foster raises, we should speak of the extra fine
Poland China hogs which he is breeding. He has very good success in this
enterprise and has some choice animals as well as some fine horses.
     On June 19, 1890, Mr. Foster married Loura Mercer, who was born near
Monroe, Oregon. Her father, George Mercer, was a native of Ohio and crossed the
plains to Oregon with ox teams in 1853. His parents both died when he was a
child and he was forced early to meet the hardships of the world but his fund of
determination and genuine grit, enabled him to make the best of life and
although not favored with schools, he gained a good education and soon was able
to teach school which he did for some time. Then he followed merchandising and
also was surveyor of Benton county, which office he held for almost twenty
years. He is now living a retired life on his farm near Corvallis, this state.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. 0. 0. F. His birth occurred on
January 15, 1829. The mother of Mrs. Foster, Elizabeth (Hilemon) Mercer, was
born in New York state, on December 1, 1833. She crossed the plains one year
before her husband did and they were married in the west. They now are both
living a retired life and are highly esteemed people. For years they have been
members and supporters of the Presbyterian church and have labored for all good
enterprises. The children born to this venerable couple are Albert, Mrs. Foster,
Frank, deceased, Lester, Walter, George and Bertha. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster, one
child has been born, Earl Lawrence, on October 7, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are
both members of the Methodist church and are highly respected people.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2011 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.