Biographical Sketch of John W. Strange, Johnson County, Missouri, Madison Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** John W. Strange, well and favorably known farmer of Madison township, was born on a farm, located on Blackwater in Columbus township, January 14, 1868. He is the only living son of his parents, Jesse C. and Sarah C. (Wilkerson) Strange, the former of whom was a native of Lafayette coun- ty, Missouri and the latter, a native of Clark county, Kentucky, and both were of pioneer families of Missouri. The late Jesse C. Strange was born December 25, 1833 on a pioneer farm in Lafayette county. He was a son of L. Caney and Sarah (Lowery) Strange, both of whom were reared in Madison county, Kentucky of old Virginia stock. L. Caney Strange was a son of Obadiah Strange, who came to Johnson county and died at the Strange home on Bear creek. L. Caney Strange migrated to Missouri and made a settlement in Lafayette county in 1833. Two years later, he removed to Johnson county and settled near Columbus, where he remained until 1836 when he removed to a farm on Bear creek and lived there until his death occurred in 1837. The Lowery family came to Lafayette county from Kentucky in 1833 and in the following year locat- ed in Johnson county and entered land on the Blackwater, near Columbus. At the age of 20 years, Jesse C. Strange went to California in company with M. C. Draper and there remained for three years, during which time he was engaged in mining. He then returned to Johnson county. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the southern army and served in Parsons' brigade with the army of General Price. He served throughout the conflict and during one fierce engagement had his cartridge box shot from him, and he narrowly escaped death. He was very sick at Helena, Arkansas and at Little Rock. At the close of the war, he re- turned to his farm near Columbus and remained there until 1868, when he located in Madison township and became owner of 500 acres of excellent farm land. Mr. Strange was an extensive stockman and a successful farmer. He was a man of strong and decided convictions, one who was not afraid to express himself on occasions, honest, energetic and in- dustrious. He was affiliated with the camp of Confederate Veterans at Warrensburg and was a member of the Christian Church. The Democratic party always had his unswerving allegiance and support. Mr. Strange was first married to Dorothy J. Lee, of Howard county, Missouri, who died, leaving one son, Charles L., of Holden, Missouri. Mr. Strange's second marriage was with Sarah C. Wilkerson in 1866. To this union two children were born: John W., subject of this review; and Tippie D., who died at the age of 24 years. Mrs. Sarah C. Strange was born near Winchester in Clark county, Kentucky, in 1843, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Flynn) Wilkerson, both of whom were born and reared in Ken- tucky and located in the northern part of Johnson county in 1859. Both parents of Mrs. Jesse Strange died in Johnson county. Mrs. Strange re- sides with her son, John W., on the home place in Madison township, and is one of the honored and respected pioneer women of Johnson county. John W. Strange received his education in the public schools of Madison township and was reared a farmer and stockman. His farm is one of the best improved and most productive in Johnson county and the holdings of Mr. Strange will exceed 1,000 acres. He is one of the most extensive stockmen in this section of Missouri and has at this writing 125 head of Poland China hogs on his place besides a large herd of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Strange was married on January 15, 1896 to Miss Gertrude Platter, who was born and reared in Johnson county, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Glascow) Platter, natives of Ohio, who made a settlement in Johnson county in 1867. Mrs. Strange's mother is deceas- ed and her father resides in Holden. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Strange have three children: Jesse Clark; S. T., and Laverne, all of whom are at home with their parents. Mr. Strange is widely known as a progressive farmer and stock buyer and a successful and enterprising citizen. His interests are with his farming and stock operations and his ambitions are mainly for his family, preferring to leave the details of political matters to those who prefer them, he himself having no taste or incli- nation for politics. Mr. Strange is a good citizen, one who is making a splendid success of his vocation and he is one of Johnson county's valued men. ==================================================================== 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 ====================================================================