**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Dr. William S. STRODE [Surnames: BROWN, SMITH, STEEL, STRODE] STRODE, WILLIAM S. A prominent physician of Lewistown, in active and growing practice, an enthusiastic and learned naturalist of wide reputation, and a stirring and successful citizen is a native of the county in which is proud to claim him. He was born in Farmers Twp., Dec. 8, 1847l, the son of Thomas and Catherine (SMITH) Strode, his mother being the daughter of Jesse SMITH. Dr. Strode's father was a Pennsylvanian, who migrated to Ohio, and then to Illinois, settling in Farmers Twp. about the year 1834. Both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives there, Mrs. Catherine Strode dying about 1854, when William was seven years of age. Of the Doctor's three brothers and one sister, Albert was killed in Arkansas about 1899; Curtis J. is a farmer of Harris Twp.; Jesse J. is engaged in agriculture in Farmers Twp., and Addie is living in Peoria, IL. Dr. Strode's boyhood was that of the average lad reared on a farm For recreation he hunted and fished as did most of his comrades. Moving and living creatures especially appealed to him, and through his eyes and books he eagerly studied the habits and beauties of the birds and insects. As years passed he became more deeply versed in these phases of nature study, until finally he possessed probably the finest museum of a private nature, confined to birds, bugs, butterflies, shells, minerals and plants in the state of Illinois. Along his specialties he has contributed many articles to scientific journals, both American and European. After graduating from the district school Dr. Strode completed a course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, IL, in which he was also a teacher for a number of years. Prior to this period he had seen military service, enlisting during the Civil War when only 16 years of age. For a year he was with Co. G, 50th IL Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at the close of the war. During the Spanish American War, after he had attained a high standing as a physician, he raised a company of 120 men and repaired to Peoria, IL, to again enter the service, and was elected a Surgeon of the regiment. As the quota was already filled, his command failed to be mustered in, and returned home greatly to the disappointment of all concerned. Dr. Strode's medical education was obtained at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and he has been in active practice since his graduation in 1884. He location at Lewistown dates from 1891. He is Secretary of the Board of Pension Examiners, and member of the City Board of Health, having held the first position for the last 16 years. Fraternally his is affiliated with the Court of Honor, and the G. A. R. Dr. Strode married Amelia STEEL, daughter of Dr. John STEEL. Of this marriage four children have been born: Winifred, a resident of Silver City, SD John W., of the same place Muriel, living in Chicago Walter L. of Lewistown The mother of this family died in 1888, and in 1890 the Doctor married as his 2nd wife, Julia BROWN, of Lewiston, by whom he has one daughter, Catherine, now twelve years old.