Stratton, Charles 1882-1908

STRATTON, VAN AUKEN, SWARZ, SIGLIN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/7/2019 at 16:10:04

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 25 June 1908. Farmersburg column.

The remains of Chas. Stratton, who died last Saturday at his home in Monona, were brought here Monday afternoon for burial in the Farmersburg cemetery.

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Added by S. Ferrall 11/7/2019:

Charles Stratton was born at Crown Point, Essex Co., N.Y., Apr. 28, 1822. On Saturday, June 20, the day of his death, he was aged 86 years, 1 month and 22 days.

He lived in the place of his nativity until 25 years of age when he came to Green Lake Co., Wis. Here he was married to Hannah Van Auken, July 27, 1849.

Mr. Stratton has done his share of pioneer work in opening up seven farms in a new country. After remaining [illegible] years on a farm in Green Lake County, Wis., he removed to open another in Washington Co., Wis. where he remained 2 years. Then westward he came to near Farmersburg in 1851, opening up here a new farm.
From this form of service to himself and family, and at the same time to our country in its developement, he turned at the nation's call for defence and on Aug. 22nd, 1862, enlisted at Farmersburg in the 27th Reg. of Iowa Infantry. In this he served his country for nearly three years until he was honorably discharged from the hospital, in which he had spent nearly two years of his time since enlisting. At one time it was not thought that he would live to get out of the hospital. He never was strong after being in the army.

After the war he returned to the farm near Farmersburg. Since then he has held two other farm properties in that community, on which he lived. Some time after the war he spent two years in Nebraska proving up on a soldier's homestead. In the fall of 1893, with his family he moved to Monona where they have since lived.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stratton were born 12 children, 6 of whom preceded him to the other life. Those living are Dr. D.E. Stratton, of Chinese Camp, Cal.; James, of Bradshaw, Nebraska; Charles, of Henrietta, Texas; Mrs. M. Schwarz, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Andrew and Mrs. M. Siglin of Monona. All have been able to visit him in his last sickness except Dr. Stratton in California, whose duties to his family and a camp of 400 men exposed to a small pox outbreak seemed to make it imperative for him to remain at his post of duty.

Mr. Stratton, 25 years ago, identified himself in membership with the U.B. Church in Wagner Two., and from that place his membership was never removed. An 8 mile drive was not a barrier to his regular attendance at worship.

For 4 years Mr. Stratton has been failing in health. His last illness began with a fall on May 10, which compelled him to take to his bed, and from which he never arose, his demise occuring Saturday last - peacefully passing away s if in sleep.

The funeral was held in the Congregational Church, Monona, conducted by the pastor, Rev. B.H. Cheney, assisted by Rev. A.B. Fickle of the M.E. Church. By request the text was John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions."

Members of the G.A.R. acted as pall bearers at Monona and upon arriving at the Farmersburg cemetery where interment took place, former comrades in arms and old neighbors performed that last tribute of respect and service there.

His aged companion of 59 years of wedded life and sharer of frontier privation and life's joys and sorrows, tarries behind, cared for by her son Andrew and Mrs. Siglin.

~Monona Leader, Thursday, June 25, 1908