A. A. Strong is an insurance underwriter of Greeley and represents some of the best companies in that line in America. Although a man of advanced years, he is not contented if idle and is still actively engaged in business. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 8th of January, 1829, and his parents, Chilion and Clarissa Strong, were both natives of Massachusetts. His paternal great-grandfather, Aaron Strong, was the first man killed in the battle of Bunker Hill, giving his life for the sake of freedom about sunrise of that eventful day. The parents of our subject removed to Ohio in 1816 and located upon a farm. Their land had been heavily timbered and it was necessary to clear it of stumps before it could be cultivated, but, undaunted, they set to work to improve their property and in time were the owners of a highly developed farm. Their first residence was a log cabin, but when they were able they replaced this with a more pretentious structure. To their union were born five children, of whom the subject of this review is the only one living.

      A. A. Strong was reared in the Buckeye state and received a good education for those days. He remained in Ohio until 1853, when he came to this county and located upon a farm in Honey Creek township which he entered from the government. He lived there until 1880, at which time he removed to Greeley, where he has since engaged in insurance underwriting.
      He prospered in his farming operations and has also succeeded in his latter occupation, as he is a man of enterprise and excellent judgment.  Mr. Strong was married on the 12th of May, 1853, to Miss Eunice A. Goodsell, who was born in New York state on the 20th of February, 1830, a daughter of Hiram and Sallie (Ferry) Goodsell. Her father was also a native of New York and her mother of Massachusetts, but the family removed to Ohio in 1832 and there the parents spent the rest of their lives. All of the six children born to them have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Strong became the parents of four children: Jennie O. is the wife of Dr. Noble, of Howard, South Dakota. Clarissa is deceased. Eva is the widow of Dr. A. S. Beckwith and has one daughter, Vera L., who, after graduating from the Fayette Normal, taught school for one year but is now the wife of A. J. Rector of Oneida. Myra L. is the deceased wife of D. F. Grove of Manchester. The wife and mother died April 3, 1907, and was laid to rest in the Edgewood cemetery.
      Mr. Strong is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for the past thirty years has been one of its trustees. He contributes liberally to the support of the various activities of the church and exemplifies in his life the teachings of Christianity. His wife was also very active in church work and did much to promote many good causes. He is a republican in his political belief and for sixteen years served as secretary of the school board in Honey Creek township. He was also township trustee, township clerk, census enumerator of his township in 1880 and notary public for forty years. Fraternally he holds membership in the Masonic order and is well known and popular in that organization. He has acquired a modest fortune and has also won that which is most to be desired, the sincere respect and esteem of those who know him most intimately.