It is an
important public duty to honor and perpetuate, as far as is possible,
the memory of an eminent citizen -- one who by his blameless and
honorable life, and his distinguished career, reflected credit not only
upon his city and county, but also upon the State. For many years Wayne
county has no more prominent or influential citizen than Judge Strong,
who was a recognized leader in both business and political circles.
The Judge was a descendant of one of the early settlers of
Connecticut -- the home of the family originally being in Shropshire,
England. Peace had not yet been declared, and the young republic was
practically without a government, when, in 1785, Elisha Strong brought
his wife, Anna Pinneo (a French Huguenot), and his son Jarius farther
west, locating in Greene county, New York.
Jarius Strong was born in Sharon, Conn., May 4, 1774. He engaged in
tanning and mercantile operations, and was an important factor in the
civil life of the community until his death, in June, 1838. On January
9, 1799, he married Dosha Bissell, of East Windsor, Conn., and they
became the parents of ten children, namely: (1) Austin, born December
14, 1799, married Elizabeth Bigelow Morss, and died March 16, 1872. (2)
Olivia, born November 3, 1801, married Hon. Henry Kinsley, and died
October 22, 1850. (3) Clarinda, born January 7, 1804, married Loring
Andrews, and died April 9, 1828. (4) Aurelia, born May 4, 1806 married
Hon. Albert Tuttle. (5) Minerva, and (6) Maria, born March 7, 1808.
The former married Hon. Albert Tuttle and died June 23, 1833, and the
latter married Col. George Robertson and died April 17, 1877. (7)
Elvira, born February 10, 1810, married Dr. Joseph H. Stedman. (8)
Daniel Bissell, born July 4, 1812, married Mary Ann Peck, was colonel of
the 116th N. Y. Militia for many years, and died May 22, 1874. (9)
Louisa, born December 1, 1814. (10) Elisha Pinneo, born August 4,
1818. The mother of this family died June 6, 1865, aged eighty-eight
years.
Judge Strong was born in Greene county, N. Y., and received his
education in the district schools and at Durham Academy. At the age of
eighteen years he entered the State Militia, becoming lieutenant in the
116th New York Regiment, commanded by Col. D. H. Snyder, and he was
subsequently promoted to the rank of major, remaining in service until
1840. Two years later, in connection with his eldest brother, he became
interested in the tanning business at Woodburn, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and
that partnership continued until 1851. In the fall of that year he was
elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Sullivan county in the
State Legislature, and on the expiration of his term he returned to
Greene county, where he continued to make his home until coming to Wayne
county, Pennsylvania.
In 1852, in company with Guernsey Osborn, Judge Strong purchased the
Starrucca Tannery property in Wayne county, and his partner operated the
works until 1862, when our subject took control, removing his family to
Starrucca. While engaged in the tannery business he was notiied of his
nomination as a member of Congress from Greene and Ulster counties, N.
Y.. For many years he did an extensive business in tanning, and as
dealer in sole leather, his market being in New York. He also conducted
a general store in Starrucca for fifteen years, and was largely
interested in handling and shipping lumber.
On July 6, 1846, Judge Strong was married to Miss Caroline Peck, of
Woodburn, N. Y., who was born March 17, 1824, and they became the
parents of two children: (1) Henry, who married Amelia Dietrich, of
Dresden, Germany, by whom he has one child, William Dietrich, now a
resident of Boston, Mass., where he is interested in the New England
Conservatory of Music; and (2) Daniel B., who was born July 23, 1849,
and prepared for the medical profession at Claverack, N. Y., and at
Paris and Marseilles, France. He married a lady in France by whom he
has four children, and they make their home in Marseilles, where he has
attained a position of eminence in his profession. Mrs. Caroline Strong
died in 1863, and in 1877 the Judge again married, his second union
being with Miss Estelle E. Brown, who was born in Jackson, Susquehanna
Co., Penn., in 1849. One daughter blessed this union, Louise, born May
16, 1879, who is being provided with an excellent literary and musical
education.
Elisha and Maria Brown (the parents of Mrs. Strong) had a family of
eight children, the others being as follows: (1) Anna M. married A. M.
Lancaster, of Jackson, Penn., who while serving as sheriff of Wayne
county was killed by a tree falling upon him when passing through the
woods. He left one daughter, Evangeline, who resided with her mother
until the latter's death, January 1, 1898, at the old homestead in
Jackson, while with a sick nephew. (2) Cynthia A. is the wife of Rev.
Larrabee, of Thompson, Susquehanna county, and has one son, Arthur W.,
in Starrucca; Frank B. died in 1888. (3) Fletcher D., born in
Susquehanna county, still resides in Jackson, that county. (4) Lorenzo
D. is single and resides on the old homestead. (5) Amanda F. is the
wife of Ralph Howard, of Thompson, Susquehanna county, and has one
daughter. (6) Harvey S. is married, and with his family also resides
on the old homestead. (7) Arthur W. was born and educated in Jackson,
Susquehanna county, and married Katie Shew, of that county, by whom he
has four children: Bernice M., Allen W., Wanieta L. and Tracy W.. He
makes his home in Starrucca, where he is engaged in business. Mrs.
Maria Brown died April 6, 1899, in her eighty-sixth year, at the old
homestead in Jackson, Penn., where she has always resided. She was a
woman of exemplary Christian character, having been a member of the
Jackson M. E. Church for seventy-two years prior to her death. Her
faculties were marvelously retained to the very last. Her memory was
seemingly as clear as in her youth. Her last words spoken to her
children, just a few hours before she died, were admonishing them to
live good Christian lives. As her spirit passed away, the children, all
of whom were present, sang "Jesus lover of my soul."
Politically Judge Strong was always identified with the Democratic
party, took a very active and prominent part in public affairs and was
called upon to serve in various local offices. In June, 1884, he was
appointed associate judge by Governor Pattison, and in November of the
following year was elected to that position for the regular term of
five years. He died March, 1895, leaving behind him an honorable record
well worthy of perpetuation. He was a man of the highest
respectability, and those who were most intimately associated with him
speak in unqualified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in
business and his fidelity to all duties of public and private life.
Although not a member of any religious denomination, he gave liberally
toward the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Starrucca, to
which his wife belonged. He also gave the land on which the Catholic
Society erected their Church. Mrs. Strong is an estimable lady of many
sterling qualities, and has a large circle of friends in the
community.
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