Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Strong, Homer 1897
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net July 26, 2011, 12:29 pm

Ionia Standard, 29 Oct 1897

Homer Strong died at his home Oct. 18, 1897.  The deceased was born in 
Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio, April 24th, 1849, being 48 years, five months and 
twenty four days old at time of death.  He had surviving him, five brothers and 
one sister, he being the youngest of the family.

The family moved from Ohio to Vermontville, Mich., in the fall of 1855, and the 
next spring to Orange township, where they purchased a farm consisting of a 
dense forest, being among the pioneer settlers of Ionia county and, of course, 
knew of the scenes of pioneer life.

The father, Lucius M. Strong, died in the fall of 1861, leaving the mother to 
the care of Homer and his brothers.  In the course of time his brothers saw fit 
to find homes elsewhere, and left their portion of the homestead for the 
support of their mother.

Homer received a common school education under difficulties which but few 
surmount, going to school a part of the time in winter, working summers and a 
part of the winters, going to night schools, and catching a little here and a 
little there, until he reached a prominence in educational and business 
attainments that is not often excelled by those having superior advantages.

Also, during this time, never for once forgetting his mother, who was looking 
to him as a counselor and provider, although he was but a mere youth, but one 
of uncommon courage and industry, building for himself a spotless character and 
a reputation which could not be questioned by any one then nor afterwards.  It 
was a pleasure for him to do for his mother, who was an invalid for years 
before her death, which occurred on Oct. 11th, 1874; and during all of her 
illness.  Homer was as attentive as a son could be, never complaining or 
wearying in well doing.  As a boy he was exceptionally good, as a youth tender, 
loving, honest and upright, which traits he carried with him to manhood, and 
retained through life.

He was married in the fall of 1875 to Miss Elizabeth J. Hetherington, of 
Detroit.  Their union was blessed with three children, two sons and one 
daughter.  The wife, one son, Walter, and the daughter Eva survive the father.  
He was a kind and loving husband and father.

In the year 1877 Homer and wife united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, from 
which they withdrew and united with the M.E. church of Ionia in 1880, where 
they have since remained.

In 1876 he engaged in business in a general store at Tremayne’s corners; in 
1880 he went to St. Louis, Mich., where he engaged in the boot and shoe 
business, in which he was very successful; in 1887 he sold his stock of goods 
in St. Louis and invested in real estate in Kansas City, Mo., where he remained 
for about a year, and then returned to Ionia.  In the fall of 1892 he was 
engaged in the manufacture and sale of pickles in Ionia. In 1893 he was engaged 
as general superintendent of Reed, Murdock & Co.’s pickle factory of Chicago, 
but on account of failing health, he was obliged to give up his position to the 
regret of his employers.

In June, 1895, he removed to the old home and the same fall was engaged as 
superintendent of a large pickle factory in Keokuk, Iowa, but after a short 
stay at Keokuk, was obliged to return, not being able to stand the work, and 
gradually failed in health until the time of his death.

He became a member of the K.O.T.M. in 1885, at St. Louis, Mich. but when he 
came to Ionia he was accepted as a member of Wabasis Tent by card where he 
remained in good standing, always being prompt in the payment of dues.  He was 
a lover of the order and more especially in his last illness, always feeling 
very thankful for kindnesses received from the members.  His remains were 
interred in the Balcom cemetery, funeral conducted by the K.O.T.M.


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