A. J. Strain
A. J. Strain, physician and surgeon, London, was born at Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, January 3, 1845. He is a son of Allan Strain, a native of South Carolina, whose father was John C. Strain, also a native of South Carolina. whose parents were from Pennsylvania. John C. Strain came to Highland County, Ohio, in 1809, where he lately died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His son, Allan Strain, the father of our subject, has been a farmer through life, and now resides in that county at seventy-five years of age. He married Eliza McMillen, a native of Highland County, and daughter of William and Margaret Linn McMillen, the latter of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of a Mrs. Gettis, near Gettysburg. Allan and Eliza Strain were the parents of eight children -- four now living. Mother died in December, 1880. Our subject is the seventh child and fourth son of these parents, and grew to manhood on a farm in Highland County, to which his father removed when our subject was but ten years of age. He obtained a fair education at South Salem Academy, in Ross County, Ohio, and at twenty-three years of age commenced the study of medicine with an uncle Dr. W. A Strain, of Greenfield, Ohio. Two years later, he entered the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. graduating therefrom in March, 1873. He first located for practice at Danville, Highland County, and seven months later, went to South Salem, Ross County, where he remained two and a half years. In October, 1876, he came to London and became associated in practice with an uncle, a practicing physician of Madison County for thirty-five years. Two years later, this partnership was dissolved, and since that period Dr. Strain has been alone in his practice, having met with fair success. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and has been a member and Secretary of the Madison County Medical Society for the past two and a half years. Politically, Dr. Strain is Republican. He is also a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Knights of Honor. He was married, January 7, 1880, to Mary, daughter of Washington Wilson, of Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Strain is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Doctor Strain is a native of Highland county. His early education was obtained in the public schools and at South Salem Academy. Graduating from the Miami Medical College in 1873, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, he located in Ross county, but came to London in 1876, and has ever since been a resident of Madison county, building up a large practice, and taking a prominent position in his profession and as a citizen.
Doctor Strain enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He holds the position of Medical Examiner of many large life insurance companies. Is a member of the American Medical, the State Medical, the County Medical Society, having served both as president and secretary of the latter. Served as president of the Tenth District Medical Association during year 1906. Is one of the members of the Board of Pension Examiners, being appointed by President McKinley during his first term, and has served as trustee of the Carnegie Library. In fraternal orders he is prominent as a Mason, and as physician and citizen is regarded as liberal and progressive.
From Madison Democrat 50th Anniversary - Published by the Madison Democrat, 1908