John Wilson Stringer
John Wilson Stringer, a general contractor and life long resident of Rayland, O., was born September 27, 1874, on the old home place at Rayland, Jefferson County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph Hazlett and Mary A. (Shannon) Stringer.
Joseph H. Stringer was born on a farm in Belmont County, Ohio, and when young came lo Jefferson County with his father, who purchased the old Bayless property at Poitland, now Rayland. His father died here in 1887, leaving two sons, William, who still lives on the home place, and Joseph H., the father of our subject. Joseph H. Stringer operated a general store at Rayland during his early life, but later devoted his attention to buying and selling grain, going to Chicago, where he became a member of the board of trade. He married Mary A. Shannon, who was born at Warrenton, O., a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Blair) Shannon, the former of whom for many years ran a store at Warrenton. Six children were born to Joseph and Mary Stringer: Thomas J., who is a well known contractor of Rayland, O.; Jennie; William, who died in infancy; John Wilson, who died in infancy; John Wilson (2), the subject of this record; and Josephine. Joseph Stringer died in 1878 at the age of forty-five years, and is survived by his widow, who is a resident of Rayland.
John Wilson Stringer was reared at Rayland, where he attended the local schools and early learned telegraphy at which he worked three years with the C. & P. Railroad. He then spent fifteen years with his brother in general contracting, and about 1907 engaged in the business for himself, making a specialty of railroad and pike grading, etc., and has met with satisfactory success.
Mr. Stringer was married September 25, 1901, to Clare E. Burkett, a daughter of William H. and Clara Burkett, and to them have been born four children: Audrey, Joseph, John Thomas and Clare. Mrs. Stringer was reared by her uncle, James T. Hodgens, who is one of the old residents of Rayland, her father, who was for many years a teacher, having died in the West when she was a baby. Mr. Stringer is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Tiltonville, and the B. P. O. E., No. 895, of Martin's Ferry. He is politically a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910