Fred C. Forster
Fred C. Foster, books and stationery, Washington, was born in Butler County, December 29, 1845, and is a son of Adam and Hannah Foster. His father is a native of Germany, and his mother of Ohio. They had a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters. Fred C. was married July 15, 1875, to Miss Francis A. Greene, daughter of Patrick Greene, of Hocking County. They have two children : Mabel C. and Dane D. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received a common school education in Butler County, where his life was spent until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to Washington, where he embarked in several different kinds of business, until he finally settled down to the book and stationery business, in which, .with all his opposition, he is doing a flourishing and profitable trade. His place of business is just below the post office, oil Court Street.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County
Fred C. Forster, of Washington C. H., who holds the office of Inspector of Oil for this district, is a leader among the Democrats of this part of the State, and as Chairman of the County Central Committee, he exerts a potent influence in local politics. Mr. Forster is a native of Ohio, born December 29, 1845, in the town of Middletown, Butler County, his birthplace being next door to that of ex-Gov. Campbell. His father, Adam Forster, was a hotel-keeper in that town andwas well known.
Our subject was educated in the excellent public schools of his native town. He was a bright boy, apt in his studies, and at the early age of twelve years began to do business for his father, displaying, though so young, a decided talent for business matters, and he remained with him until his marriage in 1875. He then opened a book and stationery store at Washington C. H., to which place he had come in 1867, and he continued in that line until 1888, when he sold out. After coming to this city, he had been engaged in the sewing machine business with his brother. December 1, 1889, Mr. Forster was appointed by Gov. Campbell Oil Inspector of this district, which place he still holds. He is the right man for the position, as all concede without regard to party, as he thoroughly understands the requirements of his office, is prompt and scrupulous in the discharge of his duties, and is known to be a man of sound judgment and integrity.
Mr. Forster was united in marriage to Miss Fanny, daughter of Dr. P. A. Green, of Bloomingdale, Hocking County, in 1875. Mrs. Forster is a native of Hocking County, but at the time of her marriage she was living at Washington C. H. She is of an amiable, pleasant disposition, and her ready tact has been a factor in her husband's social and material success. Their home life is felicitous and their union has been blessed with three children, of whom Mabel C. is the eldest; Dane D.,the next in order of birth, died at the age of five years; Freme C, the youngest, is eight years old.
Our subject is well dowered mentally, having a vigorous, thoughtful mind and those traits of character that command respect and trust, and in whatever position he has been placed he has always acquitted himself honorably. His fellow-citizens, having a due appreciation of his talent for affairs, have called him to places of trust. He has ever been an active and untiring worker in the ranks of the Democracy and has been elevated to the Chairmanship
of the Democratic Central Committee. He has held the office of Township Clerk for six or seven years, having been elected on the Democratic ticket when the Republican majority in the township was over five hundred.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]