Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Strong, William A 1828 - 
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Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890

WILLIAM A. STRONG. 

One would not live in Joliet long, without becoming acquainted with the part 
that has been played by Mr. Strong in the progress of this thriving 
municipality. As an able member of a prominent business firm as the improver 
of city real estate, as a member of corporations and as a public official he 
has deserved and won the esteem of his fellow-men for his uprightness, ability 
and success. No greater proof could be given of the confidence reposed in him 
than is shown in the number of estates that have been left in his hands for 
settlement. Among these were the Bissell, the Moore, the Curry and the Steel, 
while others are still held in trust by him. The parents of our subject were 
J. C. Strong, a native of Northampton, Mass., and A. C. Woodworth, a native of 
New York State. In the latter State he was born in 1828, his birthplace being 
the town of Waterloo. He attended the public schools, obtaining a good 
education, and learned in his uncle, W. A. Strong's store, the habits and 
methods of successful business men. In the hardware trade, to which he had 
grown up, he was engaged in his native place from 1845 to 1850, when his uncle 
sold out and came to Illinois. He became a partner with his uncle, W. A. 
Strong, in Joliet, the firm name being W. A. Strong & Co. until 1855, when a 
new co-partnership was formed with Messrs. Brooks and Barrett, and the style 
became Strong & Co. The business was continued under different firm names, but 
always as a prosperous institution until 1865. Mr. Strong, of this notice, 
then retired to become President of the Joliet Gas Company, in which position 
he still continues, and through his good judgment the success of the 
corporation was assured. Mr. Strong had faith in the growth of the city to 
which he had come, and purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, 
which he laid out as a subdivision. It is one of the most beautiful parts of 
the city, and a residence in Glenwood is considered very desirable. The 
executive and business qualities of Mr. Strong were called into requisition by 
his fellow-citizens, who elected him to the Mayoralty and to the City Council, 
in both of which positions he made a good record. He is now a Director in the 
National Bank, and he was for a few years engaged in the quarry business. In 
1855, at the bride's home in Rochester, N. Y., Mr. Strong was united in 
marriage with Miss Charlotte A., daughter of Judge Buell, one of the builders 
of the Erie Canal. Mrs. Strong is universally praised by those who knew her. 
She was strong in her convictions and steadfast in her purposes, yet possessed 
rare modesty and sweetness of disposition, was charitable without display, and 
withal, a devoted Christian. This peerless woman died in Thomasville, Ga., 
March 20, 1889. She had borne her husband four children. One daughter, Mrs. 
Budlong, died in January, 1885, leaving a child, Alice, whose home is with 
Grandpa Strong. Two sons are in business and one daughter at home. The 
Episcopal Church contains a splendid memorial to the deceased daughter. To 
that church Mr. Strong belongs, and of it his wife was a member. In a handsome 
and spacious dwelling overlooking the city, he of whom we write is spending 
his time in deserved ease, affluence and honor.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 
 


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