Willis Strickland
Willis Strickland, retired farmer, was born June 10, 1801, in Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., and at the age of fourteen went with his father's family to the township of Otis, Berkshire County, where he lived till he came to Ohio. In 1827 he married Miss Lucy Hawley, and in June 1839, came to Windham Township, this county, where Mrs. Strickland died in January, 1841, leaving three children: Seth, in Minnesota; Selah, in Wisconsin; and Lucy H., who died at the age of twenty-four. Our subject next married, in June 1841, Mrs. Caroline Gardner, of New Lebanon, N.Y., and came at once to his home in this county. To this union were born three children: George (a farmer in Ravenna), John (died, aged sixteen), Willis (killed at the age of sixteen, by the kick from a horse in 1875). This wife dying in January, 1866, Mr Strickland married, November 27, 1866, Mrs. Sarah E. Richards, who had at that time one daughter - Alice - now the wife of Milton R. Furry, of Ravenna. Mr. Strickland moved to Ravenna in April, 1855. Mr. Strickland has been very successful as a farmer and business man, devoting himself principally to live stock. He was active in public affairs up to 1855, and while in Massachusetts was called to various public offices, including Postmaster and Representative in the Legislature. In July, 1875, in company with N.D. Clark, went to Dakota, taking $125,000 in Northern Pacific Railroad bonds owned by themselves and other citizens of Portage County, where they were exchanged for land in Cass County, which has proved to be a good investment for the bond-holders in Windham Township, this county. He was twice elected Justice of the Peace. He is now and has been for the last twenty years a stockholder and one of the Directors in the First National Bank of Ravenna, Ohio. Mr. Strickland is a member of the Disciples Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885