| Resides
on section 36, Antioch Township, where he has a palatial home, and one
of the finest farms of the county. He is a prominent and influential
citizen of the community and this volume would be incomplete without his
sketch. He was born near Stirling Castle, Scotland, on the 8th of
August, 1815, and is a son of John Strang, who was born in Stirlingshire,
near Bannockburn. He was one of a family of eleven children, nine sons
and two daughters. When a young man he went to South America and
invested his money in a ship, and lost all through a wreck. Another
vessel came along and took him and his companions from the wreck, but
this ship was soon overhauled by a British cruiser in need of men, and
John Strang and such of his companions as were wanted were pressed into
the service of the British navy. Thus he took part under Nelson at the
battle of Arbuckle, Egypt. He lost his eye-sight in that country, and in
consequence was discharged, but subsequently regained his sight.
About 1800 Mr. Strang married Margaret
Clellan, a native of Glasgow, and unto them in Scotland was born a large
family of children. In 1835 he emigrated with his wife and family to
Canada, settling in the woods near Chatham, were he remained for four
years. The Revolution in Canada in 1837 caused three of his sons to
leave that country in order to keep from serving in the army. They came
to Illinois by way of Detroit, and having no money walked to Joliet,
where for four years they were employed upon the canal. By their united
industry and economy during that time they saved enough to purchase a
claim in Lake County which they located in 1838. The following year the
father came from Canada and settled upon the claim. The land had not
been surveyed but it comprised between four hundred and five hundred
acres, a part of which is the present site of Millburn. Mr. Strang was a
pioneer of both Canada and Lake County. He continued farming here until
his death in the autumn of 1866, at the age of eighty-seven years. His
wife had preceded him to her final rest, and they were laid side by side
in the cemetery at Millburn. In their native land they were active
members of the Seceder Church, but on coming to this county joined the
Congregational Church of Millburn soon after its organization. Mr.
Strang was a successful business man and worthy citizen, whose life was
characterized by uprightness and integrity. His last years were spent
with his children. The following is the record of the family. Agnes, the
eldest, died in Scotland; Peter, a pioneer of this county, is now
deceased; Elizabeth, died in Scotland; Margaret, is the wife of Joshua
Wedge, a pioneer of this county, residing in Millburn; Robert is the
next in order of birth; Mrs. Jane McAllister makes her home in Waukegan;
George, one of the early settlers of Millburn, is now deceased; Janet is
the wife of William E. Thayer, who also came to this county in an early
day and now resides near Millburn; Susan, is deceased; John is
represented elsewhere in this work. All came to this country with the
exception of the two eldest daughters who died in Scotland.
Robert Strang was twenty years of age
when he came to America. His stock in trade consisted of an old fiddle.
Truly he may be called a self made man, for from the lowest round he has
worked his way upward to wealth and affluence. His first service in this
country was as a clerk, after which he aided in clearing and breaking
forty acres of land in Canada. Then came his work for four years upon
the canal in Joliet. In the years thus spent he bad been economical,
industrious and persevering, and was now enabled to purchase one hundred
and sixty acres of land. He gave his entire attention to farming until
1856, when he built a store in Millburn. which for eighteen years he
carried on in connection with his other business. He succeeded in
building up a good trade, becoming one of the leading merchants of the
place, but in 1874 he retired from mercantile life, turning the store
over to his son. He has also laid aside the duties of farm work, and is
spending his declining years in the enjoyment of a competence which is
the fruit of former toil.
On the journey of life Mr. Strang has
been accompanied by one who has proved to him a true helpmate. In 1845
he returned to Scotland and at Dumblane, Perthshire, January 19, I846,
was united in marriage with Jessie Monteeth, daughter of James M. and
Mary (Eadie) Monteeth. She is the only member of the family who came to
America, and the only one now living. Shortly after his marriage Mr.
Strang returned with his young bride, and they began life in their far
Western home. Twelve children came to bless their union-John, who wedded
Mary J. Wedge, and carries on the store in Millburn; Mary wife of
William Mavor, one of the contractors of the World's Fair buildings to
be erected in Chicago; twins died in infancy; Maggie, deceased; Jessie,
who died at the age of six years; Eliza, wife of John Hughes, of
Millburn; Ruby, deceased; Lottie, wife of Ward Bain. Of Somers, Wis.;
Robert L., who married Emma Hughes, and operates the farm, and also
travels for a wholesale house of Chicago; James H., twin brother-of
Robert, died in infancy, and Jessie, wife of Frank Yule, of Somers, Wis.
When Mr. Strang first came to this county, he was in very limited
circumstances. There was not much money in circulation, and sometimes he
would have to leave a letter in the post office several days before he
could get money enough to pay the postage, which was twenty-five cents.
He has labored untiringly for the interests of his family, and has now
the satisfaction of seeing his estimable wife presiding over one of the
finest homes in the county. It is a large brick residence, tastefully
furnished and situated in the midst of well kept grounds, adorned by
beautiful shade trees. It seems hardly possible that his fine farm was
half a century ago an unimproved tract, but such is the case. With the
public interest of the county, its progress and upbuilding, Mr. Strang
has been prominently identified. He helped to draw the logs for the
first church and schoolhouse in Millburn, and in the early days bore his
share in every public work. In politics he was first a Whig, and a
strong anti-slavery man, so that when a party was formed to prevent the
further extension of slavery he espoused its cause and has since been a
Republican, although he is not an advocate of high tariff. Both he and
his wife were reared under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, but
are now members of the Congregational Church of Millburn. They are
charitable and benevolent people, and their home is the abode of
hospitality. |
