My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES L. STRANGE is numbered among the progressive young farmers of Johnson County, and makes his home on section 29, township 45, range 28. He is a son of a worthy old pioneer of Madison Township, and has passed his entire life in Missouri. His birth occurred February 4, 1860, in Columbus Township, and when he was only nine months old death deprived him of a mother’s love and care.

In 1861 Jesse C. Strange, our subject’s father, enlisted in the army, and Charles L. was taken by his maternal grandfather, Richard Lee, of Howard County, making his home with him until he was about seven years of age. When his father was again married, he returned to the old home and continued to dwell in Madison Township until reaching his majority. He received a good common-school education and a practical training in the proper management of a farm.

On New Year’s Day, 1885, C. L. Strange and Anna E. Haggard were united in marriage. The lady was born January 8, 1862, in Clark County, Ky., and is a daughter of John T. and Margaret J. (Morris) Haggard. The young couple are members of the Baptist Church, and enjoy the friendship of all who know them. After their marriage they went to housekeeping on a farm east of Holden, the place belonging to our subject’s father. In 1887 they moved to their present home, which is in every respect a comfortable and happy one. In political matters Mr. Strange is a Democrat, as was his father before him.

Jesse C. Strange was born in Lafayette County, Mo., December 25, 1833, being a son of Elkanah and Sarah C. (Lowrey) Strange, natives of Madison County, Ky. The father was born in 1810, and was married, at the age of twenty years, in his native state. He moved to Missouri prior to the birth of his son, J. C., who was his eldest child. He passed the site of Lexington while it was still a wilderness, and, pre-empting a tract of land, there passed the remainder of his life. At the same time that he emigrated to this state, both his own and his wife’s parents came in the company. In 1834 the family moved to this county and became inhabitants of Rose Hill Township.

The boyhood of Jesse C. Strange was spent largely with his maternal grandparents. He attended school more or less until he was about eighteen years of age, and then started on an overland trip to California, driving stock. It was in 1852 that he left home, going from Westport, Kan., to Sonora, Cal., the trip taking exactly six months. Though he had never known what hard work meant, he hired out to dig potatoes at $75 a month. In the midst of his rough surroundings he became very homesick, but would not give up, and so, well pleased his employer that he was promoted to take charge of his feed-yard at a salary of $125 a month and his board. During the year of his employment for this man, he managed to lay aside a large share of his wages, and as the result of his next three years’ work in the mines also made large sums of money. Returning to Missouri, he invested in cattle, buying and selling for several years. After his marriage he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Columbus Township, Johnson County.

February 8, 1858, Mr. Strange wedded Dorothy J. Lee, of Howard County, Mo., who died in December, 1860, leaving one child, Charles L. June 8, 1861, Mr. Strange enlisted in a Missouri regiment and served under General Price. He was first under fire at Carthage, Mo., and next at Wilson’s Creek, near Springfield, where General Lyon was killed. On the way to Lexington he was engaged in battle with the forces commanded by Lane; then followed the battle of Lexington and the Arkansas campaign, where fighting was an every-day occurrence. In August, 1862, he took part in the battle of Lone Jack, a fierce conflict, and afterward, on the way South, was overtaken by the Federals at Taboisville. His horse was shot from under him, and he himself was wounded in the left side. In 1863 he participated in the battle of Perry Grove, and at Little Rock, Ark., where a large portion of the Confederate army died from various kinds of sickness, he was in the hospital, and for some time his life trembled in the balance. On his recovery he met Banks in Louisiana, and drove him back to Alexandria. After the engagement with General Steele, at Jenkins’ Ferry, Ark., the winter of 1864-65 was spent at Shreveport, and there they surrendered in June, 1865. He could have been appointed to an office in his company had he so desired, but declined the honor.

During Mr. Strange’s absence his land had been sold to the Government for taxes, and he was virtually destitute. Borrowing about $500, he redeemed his farm and also bought a mule, which, by the way, is still in his possession. Needing a horse to get in his crops, he borrowed one from a neighbor, and in this way made his second start in a business career. In 1867 he raised a crop of corn, he and his wife shelling it by hand, and after hauling it to Warrensburg, eighteen miles away, he sold it at fifty cents a bushel.

In June, 1868, he sold his land and bought one hundred and twenty acres of his present homestead. Soon afterward he built a house in a hazel patch, and instituted other improvements. Prosperity attended him, and he is now the owner of eleven hundred acres, nearly all in this county.

November 8, 1866, Mr. Strange married Mrs. Sarah C. Carmichael, of this county, but a native of Kentucky, having come to this state with her parents in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Strange have had two children. John W., born January 14, 1868, attended Holden College for two years, and is still at home. Tippie D., born March 26, 1870, died January 26, 1894. The parents are members of the Christian Church, and contribute liberally to all good causes. The first vote cast by Jesse C. Strange was for James Buchanan, and he is an ardent Democrat. His mother, who was born March 12, 1812, is still living with him.