BIO: Michael STROHM, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  MICHAEL STROHM, of Centre Hill, Centre county, has rounded the 
Psalmist's span of "three-score years and ten," and in his declining 
years can look back over a well-spent life, honorable in both business 
and social relations.  Such a career has won him the unqualified 
respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact. 
  Mr. Strohm was born in Lebanon township, Lebanon Co., Penn., October 
29, 1816, and is a son of John and Susanna (Graybill) Strohm. His 
great-grandfather, who was of German birth, left the Fatherland to 
found a home in America.  The grandfather, John Strohm, a farmer by 
occupation, had a family of two sons and two daughters.  John Strohm, 
the father of our subject, was married in Lebanon county and in 1835 
removed to Centre county, locating in Potter township, near Centre 
Hill, the journey being made in a large wagon with several horses.  
Being a man of considerable means, he here purchased a valuable 
property of 270 acres, which he successfully operated until his death.  
His earnest labor brought to him a comfortable competence, and he was 
known as one of the substantial citizens of the community.  In politics 
he was an Old-line Whig, and manifested his religious belief by his 
membership in the Evangelical Church.  He died in 1846, at the age of 
sixty years, and was laid to rest in Egg Hill cemetery, near his wife, 
who had passed away in 1841.  Their children were Jonathan and Henry, 
who both died in Stephenson county, Ill.; Maria (wife of Peter 
Albright), who died in Mifflin county, Penn.; Michael, the subject of 
this sketch; Jacob, of Tusseyville, Centre county; Susan, widow of 
Jonathan Kreamer, of State College; John, who died in Potter township; 
and Lydia, wife of J. G. Meyer of Aaronsburg.
  The educational privileges, which Michael Strohm enjoyed were very 
limited; he lived in a German community, and the teaching was in the 
German tongue.  He could not speak English until, at the age of 
nineteen years, he came to Centre county with his parents, but by 
contact with those who used the English tongue, he became familiar with 
the language, and by experience and observation he has gained a good 
practical education.  His training at farm labor, 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  214

however, was not meager, for at an early age he became familiar with 
the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  In 1841 he drove 
a two-horse team to Freeport, Ill., for a man who was moving to the 
West.  The town of Freeport at that time contained but twelve houses.  
Mr. Strohm worked in Illinois for a year and a half as a farm hand; but 
with the exception of that period he remained with his parents until 
his marriage.
  In Potter township, October 30, 1845, Mr. Strohm was married to Miss 
Catherine Wagner, who was born in Potter township, a daughter of 
Bernard Wagner.  The young couple began their domestic life on the old 
homestead, and Mr. Strohm settled upon his father's estate.  He 
afterward purchased a part of the farm, and erected all the buildings 
thereon with the exception of the barn, which was only partially 
completed when he became the owner.  On that place he lived until the 
spring of 1877, when he came to Centre Hill and embarked in general 
merchandising, which he has since followed.  He now owns a valuable 
farm of 130 acres, together with a house and lot, his store room and 
his stock of goods in Centre Hill.  His property is the visible result 
of the energy and perseverance, which are numbered among his marked 
characteristics.
  In 1895 Mr. Strohm was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
died March 30, and was buried in Sprucetown, her death occurring only a 
few months before their fiftieth wedding anniversary.  She had been to 
her husband a faithful companion and helpmate, and his loss was deeply 
felt.  Their children were:  John, who died a the age of nineteen 
years; William, of Red Cloud, Nebraska, who was accidentally shot while 
hunting; Elmira, wife of W. A. Kerr, of Potter township; James B., 
county commissioner of Bellefonte; Sallie and Annie (twins) who died in 
infancy; Horace, who died in Centre Hill; and Laura, wife of W. W. 
Bayard of Philadelphia.  The mother of this family was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and carefully reared her children.
  Mr. Strohm is one of the veterans of the Tippecanoe campaign, and 
cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison.  Since the organization 
of the Republican party he has been one of its supporters.  He is a 
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, has served as 
trustee and as a member of the building committee, and was for years a 
member of the Quarterly Conference.  He has been very active in Church 
work, and does all in his power to advance those interests which are 
calculated to promote the moral welfare of the community.  His life has 
been well spent, winning him high regard, and he is still active in 
business affairs although he has passed the age of four-score years.