Text of an article that appeared in the Golden Anniversary Edition of the newspaper "The Herald Recorder" year 1937. The article is pictured at the right.

"Mrs. Naomi Forsting is the oldest living pioneer, in length of residence in Arroyo Grande, having come here with her parents, on August 11, 1868 and has made this valley her home during these 69 years.

She was a daughter of Jesse Casteel, who was born in Ohio, November 13, 1832, and Mary Stingley Casteel, born July 20, 1834 in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Casteel lived in this valley and raised their family of eleven children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Casteel were honest, industrious pioneers and went through many hardships during their pioneering as did many of the pioneers of that day, who blazed the trail that we might have the comforts we enjoy today. Mr. Casteel passed away in 1903 and Mrs. Casteel in 1906.

Mrs. Forsting said the event in the past history of Arroyo Grande, most vivid in her memory, was the absence of white people here upon her arrival, the only English speaking families, being the Prices, Osgoods and Branches.

Mrs. Forsting has two sons, Charles Norton of Lost Hills and Fred Norton of Arroyo Grande; four grandchildren, Mrs. Florine Brandt, Mrs. Carolyn Vergon, Chas. Norton Jr., and Molly Jane Norton, and one great-grandchild, George Paul Brandt.

Mrs. Forsting has been a member of Arroyo Grande Rebekah Lodge No. 144 for 35 years or more and has filled most of the offices in that order.

Of the eleven sons and daughters, of Mr. and Mrs. Casteel, only five daughters are still living: Mrs. Forsting, Mrs. Annie Henley of Santa Paula, Mrs. Minnie Fisk of Oakland, Mrs. Nettie Clark of Morro and Mrs. Jessie Hughes of Oceano."

Mrs. Forsting was first married to August Gustav Norton. After his death, she then married her second husband, Charles H. Forsting. Charles was my ggg uncle.

** Naomi came to the Arroyo Grande Valley in a covered wagon at the age of eight years old. **