D. F. STRAIN, merchant, Xenia, was born in Xenia, Ohio, March 22, 1845, to William and Jane (Jolly) Strain, deceased. They were natives of Highland County, Ohio. He was born in 1816, died in 1870. She was born in the same year as her husband, and died in 1880 in Xenia, Ill. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom yet survive. His occupation in life was that of a carpenter. Our subject was educated in the schools of Xenia, Ohio. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Battalion Cavalry of Ohio, commanded by Maj. Ijams. He served in that regiment for six months, and was discharged on account of expiration of term of enlistment. In July, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company I, Ninth Indiana Infantry, and served until close of war, being discharged near San Antonio, Tex., in October, 1865. During his service in the cavalry, he was mostly on scouting duty, but while in the infantry was engaged in the battles at Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville, Tenn., etc. Since coming from the service, he has been principally engaged in the mercantile and grain business and farming, all of which he now carries on. He first engaged at milling in Chester, Ind., in 1866, and then went to Xenia, Ohio, in the grain business. In 1877, he came to Xenia, Ill., where he has since been engaged in his present business occupations. His stock of merchandise invoices about $4,000. At Cedarville, Ohio, in December, 1863, he was married to Miss Mary E. Taylor, a daughter of William and Martha (Michener) Taylor. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Stanton family, being a cousin to Benjamin Stanton. Mr. Taylor having died, his widow married Allen Williams, and now resides in Lawrence, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Strain have eight children, viz., Chester, Minnie, Fred, May, Lillie, Maud, Lois and Lulu. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Xenia, Ill., but was made an Odd Fellow in Xenia, Ohio. He is also a member of the G. A. R. Post of Xenia. In politics, he is strongly Republican, and at present is serving on the County Board, being Supervisor of this township, elected on Republican ticket.
Extracted 28 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, page 170.
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