My Genealogy Hound

WALTER E. STRONG, a prominent farmer of the town of Gerry, was born in that town on July 12th, 1840, and is a son of David and Sophia (McCullough) Strong. His grandfather, Gilbert Strong, came to the town of Gerry in 1817, and was one of the earliest settlers in that section of the county. He was a native of New England, of English descent and died in Ellington Centre at the age of ninety-one years. David Strong, his son and father of Walter E., has been a resident of Chautauqua county ever since 1817. He was a farmer pure and simple, a republican in politics and without any specific religious views, but with a tendency toward Methodism.

Walter E. Strong was reared in the town of Gerry, educated in the common schools and at the age of twenty-two enlisted in Company B, 112th regiment, U. S. Volunteers, under command of Captain W. H. Chaddock. During his service in the civil war he took part in a number of battles, among the most important of which were the siege of Suffolk, Charleston, after which he was transferred to the army of the James, under Gen. Butler, and was shortly after severely wounded — so severely that he was thereby incapacitated for service and was accordingly discharged on May 26th, 1865. Upon his return home he took up the occupation of farming and has since continued it. He is a republican in politics, has served as assessor and collector of his town and is a member of the Equitable Aid Union and G. A. R.

Walter E. Strong was united in marriage with Jane Wicks, daughter of the late James H. Wicks, of the town of Gerry, on December 6th, 1865. They have five children: Ida, Bernice S., George H., Lena J. and Eric J.