It affords great pleasure and satisfaction to anyone to be able to refer
to his ancestors as worthy representatives of noble character or specific
achievement. Perhaps one of the most interesting and universally admired
characteristics of many of our forefathers was their bravery and
self-sacrifice when our Republic was in danger and the great willingness on
their part to stake their all in its defense. This is especially true when
we find that our line of forefathers includes members of the Revolutionary
troops. Viewed through the perspective of the years that have gone by, we
are almost amazed at their heroic spirit. A descendant of one of these
heroes is George W. Stratton, of Alma township, this county,
Mr.
Stratton was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the last day of the
year 1832. As intimated above his grandfather was an officer in the
Continental army under Washington, and did valiant service in the cause of
liberty and union. His father was William Stratton and his mother Mary
Farley. They were devout members of the Christian church. George received
his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and early began work
on his own responsibility. He was the second of five children and came to
Marion county in 1875. He has devoted the most of his time to farming and
stock raising and has succeeded in carrying out his ideas and methods to a
most successful issue.
On February 16, 1854, he was united in
marriage to Catherine M. Alperman, and this union has resulted in the birth
of the following children: Mary J., wife of Robert Wright, of Oklahoma, and
the mother of one child. She was again married after his decease; Elias B.,
deceased, married Anna Eaton, to whom were born three children; Alice E.,
wife of Aaron Hutchinson; Philip R. married Marie Marshall, and they are the
parents of five children, two of whom are deceased; William Edwin married
Dorothy Kagy, and has a family of two children; Emma, deceased. Mrs.
Stratton was one of a family of six children, she being the second in order
of birth.
The Stratton farm of eighty acres is one of the best kept
and productive homesteads in the neighborhood and stands as a testimonial to
what hard work and steady, intelligent application can accomplish.
Mr. and Mrs. Stratton are members of the Christian church and are willing
and efficient workers. No one receives from them anything but kind and
considerate treatment and the social atmosphere of the home is one
appreciated by their many friends and neighbors. Politically Mr. Stratton is
a believer in Democracy, and adheres to the party's principles, though never
an aspirant to public preferment.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 443-444.