Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties 
of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade, and Shawano

J. H. Beers & Co. [Chicago] 1895 - p 321
Transcribed by Anne Taylor-Czaplewski

HENRY STRAUSS, county clerk of Langlade county, with residence in the city of Antigo, was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany June 8, 1825, and is a son of Herz and Sarah (Gundersheim) Strauss.

Herz Strauss was born in Germany in 1795, was a wholesale merchant or importer in Frankfort-on-the-Main, and married Sarah Gundersheim who was born in 1806. They had seven children, namely: Siegmund, Henry (the subject of this sketch), Charlotte, Simon, Rosa, Alexander, and Louisa. Herz Strauss was a merchant all his life, as were his people before him, and was a strong Monarchist. He died in 1870, and his wife, Sarah, in August, 1876. Henry Strauss received a mercantile education, and at the age of seventeen years, while in Germany, turned his attention to the study of the profession of an optician. He went to Salford, England, at the age of twenty years, learned the trade of machinist, remained two years, and then returned to Baden, Germany, and took a great interest in the rebellion commencing in the winter of 1848. He was against the government, and furnished supplies to the revolutionists, receiving funds through his friends in Frankfort. In May, 1849, the rebellion was suppressed, and he was compelled to flee to England, whence he came direct to America in company with his brother Simon, who was also a revolutionist. In New York City the brothers engaged in the importing business, and after one year, or in the fall of 1850, Henry Strauss went to San Francisco to start a branch house. There they were burned out twice, first in May, then again in June, 1851, which ruined them, but their father met their obligations. After the failure Henry Strauss went into the mines, and remained there until 1861; then went to Menominee, Mich., and in partnership with his brother started a store and sawmill, which they conducted until 1865, when, owing to poor collections, he again lost. Henry Strauss then went to the Upper Wolf river, in the beginning of 1867, hoping never again to see a white man. Here he took up land and traded with the Indians, his nearest white neighbor being forty miles away. In 1885 that town was added to Langlade county. In 1875 Mr. Strauss visited his old home in Germany, remaining some five months.

In 1886 Henry Strauss was united in marriage with Emilie Moede, who was born in Germany, in 1867, daughter of William and Ernestine (Borth) Moede, who were the parents of eight children, came to America in 1881, and now reside in Shawano county, Wis., where Mr. Moede is engaged in the occupation of farming. Mr. Strauss lived on his land in Langlade county until 1892, when he was elected county clerk of that county on the Democratic ticket, and moved into the city of Antigo. When the town of Langlade was organized Mr. Strauss was prominent in all its workings, and held many minor offices. He was elected chairman in 1888, and served up to the time he took the office of county clerk; also was town clerk and town treasurer, and was re-elected county clerk in 1894.