Phisterer was born in
Stuttgart,
Kingdom of Württemberg. He joined the Army from
Medina County, Ohio, in December 1855, and served in the
3rd Artillery Regiment for 5 years. He re-enlisted with the
18th Infantry Regiment in July 1861, and was commissioned as an officer the following October. He eventually rose to the rank of captain, and was honorably discharged in August 1870. He was a longtime officer of the
New York Militia, and played a large role in the militia's reorganization as part of the
National Guard. He attained the rank of
colonel, and was promoted to the
brevet rank of
brigadier general for his service to organize and train soldiers for the
Spanish–American War. He acted as New York's Adjutant General in 1901 and 1902, following the death of
Edward M. Hoffman, and was succeeded by
Nelson H. Henry. Phisterer was promoted to brevet
major general at his retirement as recognition of his many years of successful service. General Phisterer was a companion of the New York Commandery of the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and a member of the
Order of Indian Wars of the United States. He died in
Albany, New York, and was buried at
Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. ==Medal of Honor citation==