AlbumsJay County
Indiana Biographies
Stephen Straly
STEPHEN STRALY,of the firm of Straly Brothers, was born in Trumbull County Ohio, March 13, 1847, a son of George Straly. The Straly family came to Jay County in 1854, locating in "Wayne Township. Stephen was reared a farmer and educated in the district schools of Jay County. At the age of nineteen years he commenced to work at blacksmithing, and followed that trade at Antyville eight years. He then engaged in a saw-mill in company with J. N. Milligan. That partnership existed three years, when Mr. Milligan sold his interest to Samuel Straly, and the partnership of Straly Brothers existed ten years. The mill was moved to its present location on section 31. at old Antyville, four miles north of Portland, in 1884 and is one of the leading saw-mills in Jay County. The engine is thirty-five horse-power, with a capacity of 5,000 feet per day and 500,000 feet per annum. Stephen bought out his brother Samuel's interest in the mill August 20, 1887. He deals extensively in hard-wood lumber. The firm owns 116 acres of good farming land, where they reside, and forty acres in Wayne Township. It is one of best improved farms in the township. Each has a good modern residence, a large barn, 40 x 67 feet, and other good farm buildings. Mr. Straly was married May 7, 1870, to Miss Mary Jane "Weaver, daughter of John J. "Weaver, a former resident of Bear Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Straly have four children — Theron G., John E., Jesse L. and Chauncey A. Mr. Straly commenced in life without means, but his industry and business faculty have enabled him to acquire a good property. Source-Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County Indiana. Reprinted Jay County Section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford Counties, Lewis Publishing Co, age 541
Note from Family researcher:
Your first entry for "Stephen Straley" is indeed for his younger brother, Sutphen.
What I find most interesting is that my great-grandmother (who had pulled together
the first copy of the family tree in 1975) had almost all of the same information
that you had, however her dates line up with the records I've been able to find
whereas the dates posted on your site are off. Also puzzling, I found an e-book
written by Nathan Howe on the civil war battles in (Missouri I think), and it
stated that Corporal Stephen Straley died in 1864 (Memphis, TN) from the minnie-ball
wound, but I've found records that he was alive until 1904. This has definitely
been a challenge.The only thing I can say about the biographies is that they are close,
but as they were printed in a time before e-mail and internet they may be slightly
incorrect due to the difficulties in obtaining correct information. Anyway, I know you
can't change what was written in the books.from: Elyse Wilcox ladyphoenyx83@gmail.com
Stephen Straly
STEPHEN STRALY, one of the prominent and enterprising citizens of Bear
Creek Township, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born November 8, 1840, a
son of George Straly, who is now deceased. When fourteen years of age he came
with his father's family to Jay County, Indiana, they settling in Wayne
Township, where he was reared amid scenes incident to pioneer life. His youth
was spent in assisting his father with the work of the farm,, and his education
was obtained in the common schools of Trumbull County, Ohio, and Jay County,
Indiana. He enlisted in defense of the Union, September 21, 1861, in Company B,
Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the engagements at Island
No. Ten, Fort Gibson, Champion Hills, where he was wounded in the left thigh by
a minie ball, which lead he still carries. He was confined in hospital for some
time, returning to his regiment July 9, and was at Palmetto Ranch, Te.xas, and
the last engagement of the war. He was honorably discharged at Brownsville,
Texas, being mustered out and paid off at Indianapolis, February 20, 1866, when
he returned to his home in Jay County he was united in marriage September 13,
1866, to Mary E. Green, of Wayne Township, a daughter of Salem and Margaret
Green, who were among the early settlers of Jay County. Mrs. Straly died October
19, 1870, leaving one child — Lawrence. Mr. Straly was again married May 22,
1871, to Miss Nancy Freemyer, her parents, Joseph L. and Mary Freemyer, being
residents of Madison Township. Two children have been born to this union, named
Charles and Walter. Mr. Straly located on his present farm in 1866, when but
thirteen acres had been broken and fenced. His farm is now one of the most
productive in Jay County, and consists of 132 acres well improved and in a high
state of cultivation. He has a substantial two story brick residence built in
modern style, well furnished, a good bam and other farm buildings. A large
windmill supplies the place with pure water, and also supplies a pond on the
grounds which is stocked with fish. Mr. Straly is one of the most respected men
of his township, and by his genial disposition and cordial manners he has made
many friends through-out the county. He is a consistent member of the Free- Will
Baptist church. Politically he is a strong adherent to the principles of the
Republican party which he fought so hard to preserve.
Section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford Counties,
Lewis Publishing Co,
age 512
