Ralph Brainerd Strong

1857 - 1929  (71 years)

• Name	Ralph Brainerd Strong  [1, 2]
  Birth	18 May 1857	Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio   [2, 3, 4]
  Gender	Male
  Death	20 Apr 1929	Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma   [5, 6]
  Burial	Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma
  Notes	For many years, it was assumed by his descendants that Ralph's middle name was pronounced Bernard. However, on Ralph's death certificate, filed by son Walter, his middle name was listed as "Brenard." Walter also named one of his sons after his father. Although the exact spelling he intended is not clear, his son's name was pronounced "Branyard." It appears, therefore, that Ralph shared his middle name with his father "Brainerd," a name that was apparently common in New England, but rare in rural Texas and Oklahoma. 1860 OHIO Census, Trumbull County Bristol Township Enumerated on 24 August 1860 With his parents, David Brainerd and Leonora (Sherman) Strong as a 2 year old There was another Ralph Strong, age 4, on the 1860 Ohio census, the son of Samuel Strong of nearby Lake County, However, his death certificate shows that he was the son of Samuel STRONG and Sarah SCHRAM, and was born in July 1, 1856. 1870 NEBRASKA Census, Johnson County Todd Creek Township Living with his Uncle, Hezekiah Strong, and listed as R.B. Strong, age 12, born in Ohio, Farm Laborer Ralph and Mary Ella Hall were married in 1878 in Hunt County, Texas. They were living west of Hunt in 1880, in Collin County, Texas. Mary's parents, Mash and Eliza Hall lived in Collin County as well. By 1900, they had relocated to Hopkins County, Texas. There was one other Strong family in Collin County in 1880, however, it does not appear that they were related to Ralph as they were from Tennessee. In April, 1894, Henry A. Strong of Trumbull County, Ohio served as the administrator of the estate of his step-mother, Leanora A. (Sherman) STRONG. He filed a petition to sell lands. In his petition, he filed an affidavit for service by publication on Ralph Strong. The index page to the Estate shows he tried to send the statutorily required "notice to non residents" to Ralph in both Baird, Callihan (sic) County, Texas and in Blue, Indian Territory, apparently with no response. Blue is due North of Hunt County, where Ralph and Ella were married. Baird is in southwest of Collin County, near Abilene, in Callahan County. Ralph and his family apparently next move to the northeast of Collin County, as by 1896 the family was in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas. At the time of the 1900 Federal Census, they were still in Hopkins County. The 1900 census also indicated that Mary was the mother of nine children, eight of whom were living. According to Viola Strong Weaver's Bible, presented to her by her parents in August, 1950, the ninth child was apparently a son named Harry. He appears to have died young, as neither his birth or death date is recorded in the Bible. Ralph next moved his family North, to the Oklahoma Terrotory, where Mary Ella died in 1905. Ralph moved even further westward, where he is listed on the 1910 Roosevelt County, New Mexico Territory Census, Precinct No 12, Dora, with his second wife, Mary Stockbridge, and youngest son Ernest. This census is notable as it shows Ralph's father as being born in New York instead of Ohio. Charles Strong read the Roosevelt County, New Mexico census for the year of 1920, but was not able to locate the family. Nor was he able to locate the family on the soundex for New Mexico. Homer Strong reported that in additona to farming his grandfather, Ralph, had worked both as a jockey and a plainclothes policeman. Ralph's great-granddaughter, Peggy Patty, reports that Ralph actually was a bounty hunter, as was his oldest son Augustus (her grandfather). Plainclothes policeman was simply the more polite term the family used to describe this work, of which they were not proud. On April 15, 1929, about 10 days before his death, Ralph and Mary entered into a warranty deed with Mrs. C. E. MITCHELL. They apparently sold her approximately 160 acres of land for $2,400. Mrs. MITCHELL also became responsible for the mortgage of $500. This land was situated in the Southwest Quarter of Section 24, Township 5 South, Range 34, East of the New Mexico Meriden in the County of Roosevelt, State of New Mexico. They sold it to her "reserving...the use of three (3) acres...the dwelling house, out-buildings, garden and orchards for a home as long as (either or both) of them shall live." On January 16, 1924, they had mortgaged this same 160 acres of land to Beulah H. Gibson for $500. Mary's sister, Celia Stockbridge, was married to a Frank MITCHELL. In late April, 1929, the following article was published in the DUNCAN BANNER SONS BRING FATHER HERE FOR TREATMENT "R.B. Strong, father of Burt and W.W. Strong of Duncan, is being brought here from Partalas (sic), N.M. in a Beeson Grantham ambulance. Burt Strong left with the ambulance Tuesday to get his father, who had been in ill health for some time. They are expected here Thursday morning. Mr. Strong has been at Partalas for several months." Ralph was moved into the home of his son Burt after being brought to Duncan. However, Burt and his father soon had a tremendous fight, and he moved Ralph to Walter's home. Barney remembers his parents living on the 700 block of Stephens about this time, although the obituary below lists this as the 700 block of 8th street. It is not known which of these addresses is correct. Barney also recalls that Burt and Ralph reconciled immediately before Ralph died. Ralph's obituary was published in the Duncan (Oklahoma) Eagle Weekly on Thursday, April 25, 1929: RALPH B. STRONG TAKEN BY DEATH "Ralph B. Strong, 71 years of age, passed away here at 3:15 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the home of Walter W. Strong, 705 S. 8th Street. Cancer was the cause of his death. Funeral services were held at the Beeson Grantham Chapel at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon with Rev. T.P. Haskins of the Baptist Church officiating. Burial was at the Lawton Cemetery. The deceased was a pioneer resident of New Mexico. He had homesteaded there 22 years ago and lived at Portales. He was brought to the home of his son here in Grantham Ambulance about three weeks ago, when his illness became more serious. Surviving are the wife, seven sons, seventeen grandchildren, and three brothers. [Note: The surviving brothers would have been Frank, Fred and EITHER Charles or George.] The sons are Walter W. and Burt of Duncan, Claude and Earl of Cement, R.J. and A.H. of Tintino (sic), New Mexico, and Earnest of Toledo, Oregon." On the death certificate, Walter W. Strong was the informant. He indicated that the parents of Ralph Brenard Strong were not known. Rhodene Frederick found the following records relating to Ralphs burial at the Highland Cemetery in Lawton (Section 3276): Strong, Ralph B., b. 1857, d. Apr 20, 1929, 72y, Ohio His first wife, Mary Ella Hall, two of his sons (Leon and Walter), a daughter-in-law (Tessie Soukup) and grandson (Jake Strong) were buried in the same section. (Research): Census Listings: 1880 Census Texas, Collin County Strong, Ralf B,W, M, 23, Head, Ohio, Ohio, Ohio, Farmer Strong, Mary E, W, F, 22, Wife, MO, TN,TN, Keeping House, No RW Strong, Augustus,1,Son,TX,OH,MO 1900 Census Texas, Hopkins County Strong, Ralph,43,May 1857, OH, OH, OH, Farmer Married 23 Years, RW Strong, Mary E,43, Apr 1861, MR, VA, TN,Married 23 Years, No RW Strong, Leon S, 16, Apr 1864, TX, OH, MR, Laborer, No RW Strong, Berthodne, 9 Oct 1880, TX, OH, MR, Laborer, No RW Strong, Claudie E, 7 Oct 1892, TX, OH, MR, No RW Strong, Raughley J, 6 Oct 1894, TX, OH, MR, No RW Strong, Earl J, 3 Mar 1897, TX, OH, MR Strong, Earnest, 1 Apr 1899, TX, OH, MR 1910 Census New Mexico Territory, Roosevelt County, Precinct No 12 Strong, Ralph B, Head, M, W, 53, M2, 3 Years,Ohio,New York, Ohio,English,Farmer, RW, O/F/F Strong, Mary J, Wife, F,W,50, M1, 3 Years,Virginia,Maine, Tennessee, English,RW Strong, Ernest R., Son,M,W,10,Texas,Ohio,Missouri,English, Farm Laborer,Reads 1920 Census Not located (Medical):Y DNA R1B1 A direct male descendant volunteered to have his DNA tested. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #Y2NVJ Determined to be a high resolution match to other documented descendants of Elder John Strong, an early Puritan settler in New England.
  Person ID	I146	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	19 May 2016

  
  

  Father	David Brainerd Strong,   b. 24 Sep 1819, Vesper, Onondaga County, New York d. 30 Mar 1894, Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio (Age 74 years)
  Mother	Leanora Arline Sherman,   b. 18 Jul 1832, Ohio d. 8 Apr 1894, Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio (Age 61 years)
  Marriage	15 Jul 1851	Jefferson Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio   [7]
  	Rhodene Frederick examined a 3 vol. set of books by John Harris Sherman, THE SHERMAN DIRECTORY. This series had over 25,000 Shermans listed, mainly extracted from the 1850 census. This was donated to the Clayton Library in Houston by Art Cohan. In this book, she found the following entry: Leonora A. Sherman born Jul. 18, 1832 prob. Ohio. Daughter of Albert A. Sherman. Married D. B. Storey (sic) Jan 4, 1851 Rhodene ALSO found this record of marriage in Ashtabula, Ohio records at the Clayton: Leonora A. Sherman to David B. Strong Jul 15, 1851 Although it appeared that the January 4, marriage to D.B. Storey was most likely a transcription error, I wrote the Ashtabula County Common Pleas Court, Probate Division, in Jefferson Ohio, and asked them to check their records for marriage licenses for Leanora Sherman for BOTH of the above dates. They sent a copy of the only marriage record on file, that of David B. Strong to Leonora A. Sherman, which was dated July 15, 1851. In her cover letter, written March 21, 2005, Candace Baker, Deputy Clerk, responded that "There was not another marriage record for Leonora for Jan. 1851. I think possibly that they thought the name Strong was Storey, as the writing was hard to decipher." David and Leanora appeared to have renewed their vows twenty five years later, this time in Trumbull County. Interestingly enough, they chose to do this on the 35th anniversary of David's marriage to his first wife, Betsey Kagey. STRONG, David B to STRONG, Leanora A (Mrs) of Bristol m 16 Mar 1876 by James Brown MG (L 1871-76 p 573) (7/393) From 100 YEAR OF TRUMBULL COUNTY, OHIO, MARRIAGES 1800-1900 Courtesy of the Trumbull County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society The same wedding date, March 16, 1876, is found in the "Historical Collections of Bristol Township, Bristolville, Ohio" by Thomas J. Kachur, 1989, p. 209. The actual certificate documenting this was included in the probate files of the estate of David and Leanora Strong in Trumbull County. An article in the "Trumbull County (Ohio) Independent" dated March 24, 1876 explained the reason for this remarriage: "The following divorce case, I believe, was the only successful one during the present term of court. Mrs. L. Strong vs. David B. Strong for divorce, on the ground of neglect of duty, etc. Divorce was granted. But now comes a singular turn in the case. Mr. Gillmer defended the husband with such vigor, and showed by such irrefutable arguments that these parties should not be separated, that, although the judge's sympathies for the woman could not be overcome, the parties themselves experienced a very great revival of earlier sympathies. In such a masterly manner did defendant's counsel portray the manly qualities of Mr. Strong, that the quick and appreciative nature of the petitioner (Leanora) was again touched as of old, and in precisely four days and a half days from the time the divorce was granted a (marriage) license was procured, and the happy couple were again married. We sincerely wish the bride and groom much joy."
  Documents » Slide Show		Sherman, Leanora 1851 marriage to David B. Strong Transcription of their 1851 marriage in Ashtabula County, Ohio; from the Probate Divisiion in Jefferson, Ohio
  		Sherman, Leanora 1875 Divorce Petition from David B. Strong Statement of Proceedings of Divorce and Alimony from the 1875 Trumbull County, Ohio Court
  		Sherman, Leanora, 1876 News Article News article regarding the divorce and subsequent remarriage of Leanora Sherman and David B. Strong
  		Sherman, Leanora 1876 remarriage to David B. Strong Copy of the March, 1876 certificate of remarriage
  Family ID	F147	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Mary Ella Hall,   b. Abt 1858, Missouri d. 27 Sep 1905, Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory (Age 47 years)
  Marriage	4 May 1878	Hunt County, Texas   [4, 8]
  	Ralph and Mary Ella (Hall) Strong were the parents of nine sons. They were married in 1878 in Hunt County, Texas. According to a transcription of Hunt County Marriages, R.B. Strong married Ella "Wall." Charles Strong examined the actual marriage certificate, and noted that the last name of the bride was clearly HALL. The compiler of "Hunt County, Texas, Marriages 1847-1911" either misread the original, or made an error while transcribing the record. The license was issued on 4 October 1877, the marriage was on 4 May 1878, and the license was filed on 21 May 1878. Ralph and Mary Ella can be found in neighboring Collin County at the time of the 1880 Federal census. There were several other Strong bride and grooms listed in the transcription of Hunt County Marriages. R.B. Strong's marriage was the earliest however. It does not appear that any of the other Strong's were related to Ralph. Nor did there appear to be any other Strong families living in Hunt County at the time of the 1880 census,
  Children	1. Augustus Homer Strong,   b. 9 Oct 1878, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas d. 10 Aug 1958, Livermore, Alameda County, California (Age 79 years)   2. Walter Winfield Strong,   b. 10 May 1881, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas d. 4 Apr 1961, Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas (Age 79 years)   3. Leon S. "Lee" Strong,   b. 10 Apr 1884, Farmersville, Collin County, Texas d. 29 Dec 1915, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma (Age 31 years)   4. Harry Strong,   b. Abt Jul 1888, Texas d. Abt Oct 1888, Erath County, Texas (Age 0 years)   5. Burt Rodney Strong,   b. 2 Oct 1890, Hunt County, Texas d. 22 Aug 1963, Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma (Age 72 years)   6. Claude E. Strong,   b. 30 Oct 1891, Texas d. 18 Mar 1942, Hayden, Routt County, Colorado (Age 50 years)   7. Rolla Jefferson Strong,   b. 17 Oct 1894, Texas d. 29 Aug 1980, Porterville, Tulare County, California (Age 85 years)   8. Earl Everett Strong,   b. 3 Mar 1897, Texas d. 14 Oct 1982, Porterville, Tulare County, California (Age 85 years)   9. Ernest Richard Strong,   b. 2 Apr 1899, Texas d. 15 Oct 1961, Eugene, Lane County, Oregon (Age 62 years)
  Family ID	F144	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	9 Dec 2006

  
  

  Family 2	Mary J. Stockbridge,   b. 2 Feb 1858, Tennessee d. 27 Jul 1940, Olustee, Jackson County, Oklahoma (Age 82 years)
  Marriage	3 Mar 1907	Greer County, Oklahoma
  	Application For Marriage License from the Territory of Oklahoma, Greer County for Ralph B. Strong of Geronomo, Comanche County, Territory of Oklahoma, age 51 years and born in Ohio; and Miss Mary J. Stockbridge of Olustee, Greer County, Territory of Oklahoma, age 48, and born in Tennessee. The couple was married by W.A. Nash, Clergyman of Creta in Greer County, Oklahoma Territory on the 3rd day of March A.D. 1907 in the presence of J. M. Stockbridge and Frank Mitchell of Creta. Witnesses who signed the license were H.H. Duncan and D.A. Shaw.
  Photos		Strong, Ralph Brainerd ca 1917 with his new bride, Mary Stockbridge The widowed Ralph Strong was married second to Mary Stockbridge in 1917
  Documents » Slide Show		Strong, Ralph letter to Mary Stockbridge, February 1907, Page 1 This letter was written by the widowed Ralph Strong to Mary Stockbridge while they were still courting, concerning their impending wedding, Page 1 of 6
  		Strong, Ralph letter to Mary Stockbridge, February 1907, Page 2 Page 2 of 6
  		Strong, Ralph letter to Mary Stockbridge, February 1907, Page 3 Page 3 of 6
  		Strong, Ralph letter to Mary Stockbridge, February 1907, Page 4 Page 4 of 6
  		Strong, Ralph letter to Mary Stockbridge, February 1907, Page 5 Page 5 of 6
  		Strong, Ralph letter to Mary Stockbridge, February 1907, Page 6 Page 6 of 6
  		Stockbridge, Mary J 1907 marriage to Ralph B. Strong Application and license of marriage as filed in Greer County, Oklahoma, March 3, 1907
  Family ID	F146	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	9 Dec 2006

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 18 May 1857 - Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio Marriage - 4 May 1878 - Hunt County, Texas Marriage - 3 Mar 1907 - Greer County, Oklahoma Death - 20 Apr 1929 - Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma Burial - - Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos		Strong, Ralph Brainerd Family ca.1913 Ralph Brainerd Strong Family circa 1913, Oklahoma Standing, Back row (L to R): UNKNOWN--Either Burt OR Claude Strong, Annie Eva (CHOATE) Strong, Lee S. Strong, Earnest Strong,Tessie Rose (SOUKUP) Strong, Walter Winfield Strong, Mary Gertrude (GAY) Strong, Augustus Homer Strong Seated, Front row (L to R): Homer Richard Strong (grandson), Ralph Brainerd Strong, Viola May Strong (granddaughter), Mary (STOCKBRIDGE) Strong (Second wife), Agnes Ivy Strong (granddaughter) Not pictured: Rolla or Earl PLEASE HELP US POSTIVELY IDENTIFY whether the young man standing on the left at the back is Burt or Claude!
  		_Strong, Ralph Brainerd Husband of Mary Ella Hall B. 1857 Ohio D. 1929 Oklahoma This is an extract from the larger family picture

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		Strong, Leanora (Mrs. David B. Strong), Petition to sell lands from her Estate Ralph was listed as a potential beneficiary of the Estate of his mother, Leanora (Sherman) Strong. Attempts were made to notify him of the pending land sale in both Baird, Texas and Blue, Indian Territory.
  		Strong, Ralph Brainerd Death Certificate from the State of Oklahoma
  		Strong, Thomas Anthony ca 2002, Certificate-yDNA, R1B1 yDNA sample 12 marker results. Tom was one of the early participants in the Strong yDNA study, shortly afterwords several proven descendants of Elder John Strong of New England were exact matches to him, allowing him to focus his search for his American Strong ancestors http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegalstrongs/dnaresults.htm

  
  

  Histories

  A Strong Story : The Tale of Two Ralphs Our ten year search to discover which Ralph Strong of Ohio was ours. Both were born circa 1855 - 1858, one to David and Leonora Strong of Trumbull County, and the other to Samuel and Sarah Strong of Lake County. Serialized in the Strong Family Association of America (SFAA) Newsletter beginning December, 2005.

  
  

• Sources

  [S308] 1880 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005., (1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ? Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls. This database is an index to 50 million individuals enumerated in the 1880 United States Federal Census. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, address, occupation, relationship to the head of household, race, sex, age at last birthday, marital status, place of birth, parents? place of birth. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1880 Federal Census.), 7th District, Sup Dist 3, Enum Dist 28, Family 363 (Reliability: 3). [S98] 1860 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004., (Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls. This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1860 United States Federal Census, the Eighth Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, age as of the census day, sex, color; birthplace, occupation of males over age fifteen, and more. No relationships were shown between members of a household. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1860 Federal Census.). [S308] 1880 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005., (1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ? Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls. This database is an index to 50 million individuals enumerated in the 1880 United States Federal Census. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, address, occupation, relationship to the head of household, race, sex, age at last birthday, marital status, place of birth, parents? place of birth. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1880 Federal Census.), 7th Dist, Sup Dist 3, Enum Dist 3, Family 363 (Reliability: 3). [S384] 1900 United States Federal Census [Ancestry.com database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004, (Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls. This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1900 United States Federal Census, the Twelfth Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, address, relationship to the head of household, color or race, sex, month and year of birth, age at last birthday, marital status, number of years married, the total number of children born of the mother, the number of those children living, birthplace, birthplace of father and mother, if the individual was foreign born, the year of immigration and the number of years in the United States, the citizenship status of foreign-born individuals over age twenty-one, occupation, and more. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1900 Federal Census.). [S172] Lawton (Oklahoma) Cemetery, Strong Family Plot. [S389] State of Oklahoma, Department of Health, Certificate of Death. [S386] State of Ohio, Ashtabula Common Pleas Court, Probate Division, Jefferson, Ohio. [S139] Hunt County, Texas, Marriages 1847-1911, page449 (Reliability: 3).