George S Stranahan was the son of John and Lucy (Buck) Stranahan who was born on October 4, 1783 in Canaan, Columbia, New York. John and Lucy had eleven children; Mary Polly (1764), James (1766), Jane (1868), Aaron (1771), Lucy (1773), John (1776), Farrand (1778), Peleg (1780), George S (1783), Gibson J. (1786), Daniel J (1789).

George fought in the War of 1812 in the New York Calvary. He was a private who served in Asa Ransom’s Company. As a result of his service, he received a land Grant for 40 acres on August 1, 1853 in Jackson County, Michigan.

George married (Bethenia) Catherine in Caanan, New York where they had nine children; Caroline (1806), Hiram (1812), Catherine (1816), George (1816), Maranda (1820), Mary (1825), Betsy, Julia (1829), Cordelia. In 1833, George and Catherine moved their family to Jackson County, Michigan. George bought 349 acres on October 15, 1835 through the Bronson Land office according to land record document # 1083. Catherine died on November 4 1840. George married Mary W. Powers on August 7, 1844 in Jackson, Michigan.

In the 1840 Federal Census, George and his family are living in Jackson County, Michigan.  George and his two son, Hiram and George Jr are farming the land that George purchased. By the 1850 Census, both sons have married and live next to their father and his second wife, Mary. George and his two sons remain farmers. George S, George Jr and Hiram appear in the Agricultural Census of 1850. The sons, Hiram and George each claim 90 acres and George claims 160 acres. It is stated that George Sr and George Jr planted the first orchard in Jackson County on the north side of Clarklake. By the time of the 1860 Federal Census, seventy seven year old George, is living with his daughter Mary and her husband, Stole Clark, in Jackson County, Michigan.

One hundred and fifty five years ago today, George S Stranahan died in Jackson County, Michigan. He is buried next to his first wife Catherine in the Clarklake Cemetery.

Rest in peace, George!

Love, Jan

George is the Great Grand Uncle of the husband of my Great Grand Aunt Addie Jane Hayner.

Yes, I know that the relationship is way out there but… Have a good week and we’ll see you again next week.