A native of Richland County, Ohio, Mr. Strong was born Oct. 12, 1826, acquiring a practical education in the district school. His parents were Orange and Jemimah (Hall) Strong, of Scotch and English ancestry respectively*, the father a native of Burlington, Vt., and the mother of Morristown, N.J. The father being of a religious turn of mind, entered into the ministry at the age of eighteen years and continued until his death, Aug. 24, 1838, in his thirty-eighth year**, having been born April 7, 1801***. The mother died in November, 1882, at the age of seventy-nine years****, having been born April 6, 1803*****. They were married Dec. 18, 1823, and were the parents of three sons and two daughters******, namely: Caleb, Silas D., Rachel C., Sarah J. and John C. Sarah J. and John C. died young; Caleb married and left a family at his death; Rachel married Ira Parker, and lives in Clay County, Neb.
When seventeen years old Mr. Strong began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he became so proficient that he soon developed into a master builder, and thereafter for a number of years was engaged as a builder and contractor in different parts of the State. He was first married in Knox County, to Desmonia Lambertson, and became the father of two children*******. The eldest, Roaldo D., took kindly to his books, and is now a teacher in Marshall County, Kan. He was for a time an attendant at the Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., which position he finally resigned. The other son, Leighton E., died when three years old.
In 1852 Mr. Strong removed to Cedar County, Iowa, where he sojourned six years, engaged in carpentering. We next find him in Memphis, Tenn., where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War, then fled to the North to escape being forced into the Rebel service. Settling once more in Morrow County, Ohio, he was the second time married, Jan. 1, 1863, to Miss Hannah K., daughter of John Russell, a native of Belmont County, that State. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Strong was Samuel Russell, a native Loudoun County, Va., who, when a young man, emigrated to Belmont County, Ohio, and entering land became a well-to-do farmer, and resided there until his death. He was a Quaker in religion, and the grandson of an Englishman who crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days.
John Russell when quite young was presented by his father with a farm in Morrow County, Ohio, which had been entered by the latter from the Government, and was eighty acres in extent, located near Cardington. He operated upon this until his death, in February, 1867, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a Republican politically, and a Universalist in his religious views********. He married Miss Sarah Parkins, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1822, and who removed with her parents to Morrow County when a child of thirteen years. Grandfather Isaac Parkins was a native of Frederick County, Va., whence he emigrated at an early day to the Buckeye State. He located first in Belmont County, then removed to Morrow County, where, in connection with farming, he operated a large tannery, and became well-to-do. He was the son of Jonathan Parkins, a gentleman of Welsh descent, born in Virginia, and a Quaker in his religious belief. The latter spent his last days in Belmont County, Ohio.
The mother of Mrs. Strong, after the death of her husband, remained on the old homestead in Ohio until the fall of 1883, then set out for Kansas, arriving at the home of her daughter October 19, and here she has since lived. The parental household included six children, of whom Hannah K. (Mrs. Strong) was the eldest born; Isaac P. remains on the old homestead in Ohio; Mary N. died Nov. 25, 1887; Louisa J. died Nov. 12, 1877; Linneaus J. is a resident of Morrow County, Ohio; George W. died when five years old.
Mrs. Hannah K. Strong was born near Cardington, Morrow Co., Ohio June 25, 1845, and was reared there, on her father's farm, having the advantages of a common-school education. She remained under the home roof until her marriage, becoming familiar with all useful household duties, and under the training of an excellent mother was well-fitted for the mistress of a good man's home. She has been a faithful and efficient helpmate of her husband in all his worthy undertakings, and with him enjoys the acquaintance and friendship of the best people of their township. Their congenial union has resulted in the birth of nine children, viz: William L., Charles A., Edward O., Mary E., Maggie L., Harleigh H. and Nana Jessie. Jessie F. and Henry R. are deceased. The second eldest son learned carpentering with his father, and follows his trade at Manhattan; Mary E. learned dressmaking at Blue Rapids, and, with the other children, makes her home with her parents.
In addition to being a carpenter and builder, Mr. Strong has operated as and architect, possessing no mean genius in this line, and has put up some of the finest buildings in the State of Ohio. In January, 1865, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company F, 186th Ohio Infantry, being mustered into service at Camp Chase. His health being very poor, he was detailed to assist to the hospital in Nashville and other places. He consequently did not see any fighting, and the war soon closing, he was mustered out at Nashville in September following. He then returned home, and for some time suffered greatly from ill health. He, however, followed his trade as closely as possible until the fall of 1869, when he came to Kansas and homesteaded a part of the land which he now owns and occupies.
In the spring of 1870 Mrs. Strong came out with the family, and as soon as they were settled he began farming in true pioneer style. There was then only one house between his place and Irving. He put up a small frame dwelling, and plowed his ground with an ox team. In the meantime he worked considerably at his trade, and during his absence Mrs. Strong carried on the farm. They were prospered, and in due time purchased land adjoining until their farm assumed its present proportions. Twenty-four acres have been planted with apple and other fruit trees, and in addition to horticulture and general farming, Mr. Strong keeps a goodly assortment of live stock. Politically, his sympathies are with the Union Labor party, in which he is quite prominent, and is frequently sent as a delegate to the various conventions. In Ohio he was connected with the I.O.O.F., and he belongs to the G.A.R. Post at Irving. He has been Justice of the Peace three terms, and served as a member of the School Board and Clerk of elections.
