BIO: William Shaw STRYKER, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 212-213.
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  WILLIAM SHAW STRYKER, farmer, of Porter township, was born on his 
present farm, December 28, 1851, son of Peter and Jane (Newell) 
Stryker. The Stryker family are descended from two brothers who came 
over from Holland more than two hundred and fifty years ago and settled 
in New York. One was Peter, from whom William S. descended, the other 
was John, who settled in New Jersey. Peter located in Long Island, 
where his descendants may still be found. The Strykers were actively 
patriotic in Revolutionary times. One of the family, Gen. William S. 
Stryker, was Adjutant General of New Jersey during the Civil war. John 
Stryker, grandfather of William S., was born, reared, and married in 
New Jersey. His wife was Elizabeth Thompson, of New Jersey, and of 
their children, the following ten grew to maturity: Thompson; Peter; 
Samuel; Mary (Mrs. Adam Lefford), of McVeytown, Mifflin county; 
Caroline (Mrs. Lewis Lightner), of Illinois; Joseph; William; Amelia; 
Mary, widow of Judge Perry, of Rolla, Mo.; and Mahlon; all the sons but 
William, of Logan township, are deceased. Some time after marriage, 
with two blind horses and all their property in an old wagon, John 
Stryker and his wife moved to Huntingdon county, where they lived at 
Shavers Creek. Before his death, he was owner of five farms, one of 
which he gave to each of his sons, except Joseph, who took his share in 
education, practiced law in Washington, D. C., and was for six years 
consul in Pernambuco, Brazil. For some years before his decease, John 
Stryker lived in Logan township.
  Peter Stryker, father of William S., was born at Shavers Creek, West 
township, in 1820, and died March 9, 1858. He grew up on the farm, 
attending school in the winter. He married Miss Jane Newell, and about 
1841 bought a farm in Porter township, from the heirs of his father, 
John Stryker. He was a very active citizen, a member and elder in the 
Presbyterian church and his loss was felt by all in the community. He 
contracted a cold while working and died one week after. His wife 
survived him twenty-eight years, departing this life March 7, 1886. 
Both are buried in the cemetery at Alexandria. Their children are: 
Mary, died when three years old; John, deceased; Alice, died unmarried 
in Harrisburg, aged forty-two; William Shaw; Lizzie, who died when 
sixteen; William; Margaret; and Lydia (Mrs. John Huyett).
  William Shaw Stryker attended the common schools of Porter township 
and of Alexandria, and was for one term a student at Millersville State 
Normal School. When he was six and a half years old, his father died. 
On January 19, 1882, he was married in Porter township, to Mary, 
daughter of Samuel Hatfield. Their children are: Mabel E.; Annie N.; 
Ella H.; Eliza Neff; and Mary Janet. About 1880, he purchased his 
present property, consisting of 242 acres. On October 12, 1892, he lost 
by fire his barn, 1,000 bushels of wheat, 30 tons of hay, and much 
other property, but rebuilt in the following spring. For fifteen years 
he has served as elder in the Presbyterian church. He is a Republican, 
has been school director, and is now serving his third term as 
supervisor.