Strong, Silas C. (1837-1921)

STRONG

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 22:02:28

Silas Cook Strong
Oct 13, 1837 - July 23, 1921

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.571)
S.C. STRONG has been a resident of Pottawattamie County since 1864 and is one of the well-to-do farmers and worthy citizens of Center Township. He was born in Ohio, October 13, 1837. His father, James M. STRONG, was born in New England and was a babe when his parents moved to Ohio. In that state, he grew to manhood and was married in Meigs County to Miss Melissa BARKER, who was born in 1816. When their son C.S., the subject of this sketch, was nine years old, they came to Iowa and settled in Jefferson County, coming via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Keokuk, and from there by teams to Jefferson County. There the son attended school in a log cabin and worked on a farm, remaining with his father until he reached his majority. At the age of twenty-one, he was united in marriage with Lucy CLOVER, a lady of intelligence who has proved herself a helpmate to her husband thus far on life’s journey. She was born near Deerfield, Ohio, and was ten years old when she came to Jefferson County, Iowa, with her parents, James and Emily (SMILLEN) CLOVER.
In 1864, as already stated at the beginning of this sketch, Mr. STRONG came to Pottawattamie County. His parents, who came here at the same time, lived on a farm until 1889, when they moved to Oakland, where they are passing their declining days in peace and comfort. The father is now seventy-eight years of age. Mr. STRONG was among the pioneers of this county, the land on which he settled being wild and unimproved. He now owns a fine farm of 260 acres; has comfortable and substantial buildings and good fences, broad pastures and well cultivated fields and two groves. He also has a fine orchard from which, in 1889, he gathered 1,200 bushels of fruit. He raises annually large numbers of cattle and hogs.
Mr. And Mrs. STRONG have five children, namely: Alice CONVERSE, who for years has been a successful teacher in California and is now in Oakland, this county, and has one son, Thomas, who married Addie BUTLER, daughter of William B. BUTLER of this township and has one child; William Fred, a student at Simpson’s College, Indianola, Iowa; James Clover and Charlie Cook, at home. They lost two children by death: Florence Belle, February 17, 1883, at the age of twenty-one years and fifteen days; and Mary Catherine, at the age of six months. Florence Belle was a general favorite with her associates and was known far and wide for her Christian virtues, her amiable qualities and her cheerful and affectionate disposition. She was gifted with musical talent, and rendered valuable services to the choir of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she was a consistent member. She was an affectionate daughter and sister, and her untimely death cast a gloom not only over the home circle but also over all those who knew her during her brief but useful life.
Mr. STRONG and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Hancock, Circuit, and their son, William, is also a zealous worker in the cause of religion. Politically, Mr. STRONG is a Republican. He has served the public in several township offices.