Samuel Straly, junior member of the firm of
Straly Brothers, is a native of Ohio, born in Trumbull County, April 22,
1853, a son of George Straly, one of the pioneers of Wayne Township, who is
now deceased. Our subject was a mere infant when his parents came to Jay
County, settling in the then wilderness of Wayne Township, where his boyhood
was spent in working on the farm, and attending the common schools of the
county; when seventeen years old, he engaged in blacksmithing with his
brother in Bear Creek Township following that avocation, for seven years.
From that time until 1887, he operated a saw mill and dealt in lumber and
being a man of enterprise and good business ability succeeded well in his
business. He was united in marriage July 4, 1874, to Miss Rose E. Antles, a
daughter of D. A. Antles, a prominent pioneer of Bear Creek Township. Mrs.
Straly died October 20, 1881, leaving at her death three children – Harry
T., Blanche A. and Frank A. Mr. Straly was united in marriage a second time
July 8, 18 83 to Miss Caroline M. DeHoff of Bear Creek Township, a daughter
of Jacob and Lydia (Wonderland) DeHuff. Her parents are deceased, her father
dying in 1860 and her mother in the year 1882.
Mr.
Straly is classed among the leading men of his township and is active in all
enterprises for the advancement of his township or county. His residence is
comfortable and convenient, and his barn is a large, substantial building,
the entire surroundings of his place showing the care and thrift of the
owner.
He sold his interest in the mill to his brother,
Stephen, August 20, 1887. He now owns two farms, one in Bear Creek Township
of fifty-eight acres and one in Wayne Township of forty acres.
Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County
Lewis
Publishing Company, 1887
Transcribed by Margie Pearce