Sketch of John Strahan, Audrain County, Missouri >From "A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri, with numerous sketches, anecdotes, adventures, etc., relating to Early Days in Missouri" by William S. Bryan and Robert Rose, Published by Bryan, Brand & Co., St. Louis Missouri, 1876. ********************************************************************** John Strahan was the son of Robert Strahan and Nancy Scott, of County Doun, Ireland. When John was three years old his mother died, and in 1812 his father came to America, bringing his son with him, and they settled in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His brother William and his sister Nancy also came with them. John lost his father when he was only eleven years of age, and he was bound out to learn the carpenter trade. But that trade did not suit him, and he left the man he was bound to and learned the boot and shoe business. He also procured books and acquired such an educatiion as he could by his own efforts. He was naturalized in 1824, and settled in Lincoln County, KY., in 1832, where he married Celia Canterberry, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. He came to Missouri in 1841, and settled first in Platte County, but removed from there to Audrain County in 1844. In 1849 he went to California, and during his absence his wife died. He returned home in 1854 and married Cynthia Eubank. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1846, but resigned his office when he went to California. He was re-elected upon his return, and continued to hold the office for many years. He has been a great friend of public im- provements, and when the North Missouri Railroad was built he sub- scribed largely to the capital stock, saying that if he could not pay his railroad tax when it was due, he would take his spade and work it out. The Esquire is now living on his farm in Audrain County, and is a worthy and respectable citizen. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Penny Harrell ====================================================================