Forster, Frederick Harrison – 1827-1919

CRITCHFIELD, ELMENDORF, FORSTER, FOSTER, GIBSON, GRAY, HERALD, SNELL

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/17/2017 at 20:21:12

Woodburn – Frederick Harrison Forster was born February 21, 1827 in Harrison county, Indiana, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D. D. Gray, in Lacona, Iowa, December 12, 1919, aged 92 years, 9 months, 21 days. He came with a caravan of immigrants to Knox county, Illinois, in 1849 and was married to Martha J. Herald, in 1850. To this union was born six sons and nine daughters. They came to Iowa in 1858, returning to his home in Illinois in 1860. Came to Iowa again in 1869, and settled on a farm three miles northwest of Lucas, in Jackson township, Lucas county, Iowa, where he lived until 1877, when he moved to Kansas, Mrs. Forster dying the same year. He was married again in 1878, to Mrs. Mary J. Foster, to which union was born one daughter and one son, again returning to Clarke county, Iowa, in 1880, where he has since made his home. His wife Mary J. Forster passed away February 20, 1918, since which time he has made his home with his children. Mr. Forster was of hardy pioneer stock and industrious which brought him prosperity and large appreciative acquaintances. Mr. Forster was a life-long follower of the Master, was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church when but 14 years of age and during his long life was interested in the program of the Master’s kingdom, always liberally supporting the enterprises of the church. With an open door to the ministry many times in the pioneer days his home was the meeting place for religious service, a hearty welcome and generous entertainment for all who came, thus through his action he served his Master. Five daughters and one son preceded him in death. He leaves bereft of his councils and kindly interest, six sons Marcus C. of Woodburn, Iowa, Robert of Mustang, Oklahoma, James of Wichita, Kansas, Luther of Tangent, Oregon, Edward of Atwood, Kansas and Frederick of Mingo, Iowa; six daughters, Mrs. Adaline Critchfield of Woodburn, Iowa, Mrs. Frances Critchfield of Gary Oklahoma, Mary Elmendorf of Lacona, Mrs. Nora Gray, also of Lacona and Mrs. Netta Gibson of Des Moines, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Sarah Snell of Alpha, Illinois; thirty-one grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren, besides a large circle of friends and neighbors. During his stay his last months with his daughter, with the weary weight of years upon him, he was always uncomplaining and patient expressed himself as ready and anxious to go. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church, at Woodburn, on Monday, December 15, 1919, at 2:00 p.m. Interment was made in the M. E. cemetery.
Source: Osceola Sentinel; date of death December 12, 1919