My Genealogy Hound

JACOB STRAWSBURG. We take great pleasure in adding the name of this enterprising and representative farmer to others of the leading citizens of Johnson County. He owns an extensive and desirable place on section 24, township 46, range 27, and may well be proud of the success which he has attained through honest and industrious efforts. Commencing life a poor boy, he has year by year advanced toward fortune, and is now secure in possessing a good income and an abundance for old age.

Our subject is a native of Maryland, born April 15, 1837, and is the third of six children whose parents were Samuel and Mary (Coppersmith) Strawsburg. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and for several years followed that occupation in Maryland, later moving to Pennsylvania. He met his death by drowning a few years afterward.

Young Jacob Strawsburg was reared under the parental roof and had very limited advantages in an educational way, ten months covering the period of his school days. At an early age he set forth to earn his own livelihood, and, being undaunted by hard work, he was soon on the high road to success. In 1865 he removed with his family to Ohio, there beginning his career as a farmer, and two years subsequently came to Johnson County. The next five years he rented land, and by thrift and strict economy saved a sum adequate to purchase a farm of his own.

It was in 1872 that Mr. Strawsburg became the possessor of the first forty acres of his homestead, this tract having been bought from E. Roop. A year afterward another piece of land was purchased of Peter Halford, and as time passed he kept investing in more property, until now he has four hundred and eighty-three acres. Four years since he made a purchase of one hundred and thirteen acres and moved to the house which stood upon it, and this has been his abode up to the present time. He is financially interested in the Centerville Creamery, and takes much pains to advance the welfare of the community in every possible manner.

January 8, 1857, Mr. Strawsburg married Eliza Fogle, daughter of John and Susan (Smith) Fogle, honored residents of Maryland. Of the ten children born to our subject and his wife, all but one survive. They are as follows: Mary Ellen, who married David Blaylock, and resides in Kansas; Randolph, who married Lizzie Burgard; Leah Anna, Mrs. James Holloway; Rebecca, wife of Peter Fry; Louie; Jane, Mrs. Curtis Goodyear; Samuel, who married Martha Burgard; Susan, twin of Samuel, and wife of Frank Connard; and Charles and Jacob, Jr., who are at home. Mrs. Strawsburg has been a true help-mate, and has faithfully assisted her husband to prosperity. They have a cozy and happy home, and entertain strangers as well as friends under its hospitable roof.

In his political affiliations our subject is a Democrat, and religiously he is a believer in the doctrines of the German Baptist Church. At all times he contributes liberally to charitable objects and worthy enterprises, and has scores of sincere friends.