BIO: William Henry STRICKLAND, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 559 & 560.
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  WILLIAM HENRY STRICKLAND, burgess of the borough of Burnside and a prominent 
citizen of this part of Clearfield county, was born in York county, Pa., 
November 16, 1842, son of Jacob and Mary Jane (Ault) Strickland.  The father, 
who also was a native of York county, first came to this section with his son, 
our subject, in 1859, walking from Milesburg to Frenchville, Clearfield county.  
After operating a saw mill for about a year he gave that up to take charge of 
Judge Lamb's water mill at Deer Creek, which he conducted for two years.  He 
subsequently resided at Shawsville for two years, finally removed to Clearfield 
bridge, later moving to Clearfield, following the trade of shoemaker at that 
place, until his death, which took place in 1896, when he was 76 years old.  In 
politics he was a stanch Republican, and very active for his party.  He married 
Mary Jane Ault, who died in 1910 at the age of 93 years.  She was the daughter 
of Joseph and Sarah Ault, natives of Lancaster county.  Jacob Strickland and 
wife had a large family, and their children now living are as follows:  George, 
who is foreman for a manufacturing concern at Curwensville; Jacob, Jr., who is 
engaged in farming in Maryland; Mary (twin sister of Jacob), who is the wife of 
Alexander Flegel, of Ashtola, Pa.; Joseph, a hotel proprietor in this county; 
Emma Jane, who is the widow of Albert Walters, and William Henry, the subject of 
this sketch.
  William Henry Strickland, who was the second child of his parents, after 
completing his school studies, was employed in the saw mill industry with his 
father, until reaching the age of 18 years.  In February, 1864, he enlisted for 
service in the Civil war and remained in the army until the close of the great 
struggle.  He was in seventeen different engagements, or rather pitched battles, 
in General Warren's command, and was slightly wounded at the battle of the 
Wilderness.  On August 19, 1864, he was captured by the enemy near the 
Petersburg & Weldon Railway and sent to Belle Isle prison, where he remained 43 
days.  He was then transferred to Salisburg, N. C., where he was kept until his 
release on March 28, 1865, being then in very bad physical condition from his 
confinement, insufficiency of food and the general treatment he had received as 
a prisoner.  After passing through Atlanta and Augusta, he was sent to 
Washington, and further was stationed for a short time at Fortress Monroe, being 
finally mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa., June 23, 1865.
  On his return from the war Mr. Strickland re-engaged in the saw mill business 
in Clearfield county, remaining two years, and then spending three years in the 
same business at Forest, Pa.  He was subsequently engaged in lumbering for nine 
years at Morgan Run, removing later to Lodgeville, Pa., where he resided ten 
years.  From there he went to Sidney, Indiana county, where he remained five 
years.  He then came to Clearfield county again and engaged in farming, in which 
occupation he continued seven years, or until 1894.  In that year he entered 
into the hotel business in Arcadia, Indiana county, but after a two years' 
experience in this line, took up his residence in Burnside, where he now lives 
retired from active industrial life.  A Republican politically and an active 
worker for his party, he was elected burgess of Burnside in 1908, although the 
honor was unsolicited and even undesired by him.  He bowed to the will of his 
fellow citizens, however, and has made a capable official.  He has also served 
as a member of the school board.
  Mr. Strickland was married to Mary Rebecca Carr, who was born in Duncansville, 
Blair county, Pa., January 18, 1844, a daughter of Alexander and Mary Ann (Hoop) 
Carr.  Mrs. Strickland's father, who was born in Ireland and came to America 
when a boy, settled in Cambria county, Pa.  He subsequently went out as a 
soldier in the war with Mexico and has killed in battle.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Strickland have been the parents of ten children, of whom there are seven now 
living - four sons and three daughters.