Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 464-465; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Solomon Strouse, whose sketch now claims attention, is one of
the representative farmers in Pleasant Township, and a gentleman highly
respected alike for his good business qualifications and his upright
character. His birth occurred in Beaver County, Pa., on the 2nd of May,
1813, he being a son of Henry and Barbara Strouse. His paternal
grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, and his father was born in
Berks County, Pa., as was also his mother.
Our subject grew to manhood's estate in his native county,
spending most of the time on a farm, and when about twenty years of age
commenced learning the tanner's trade, being apprenticed for that
purpose for nearly two years. He subsequently followed this trade and
that of a journeyman for a number of years. He received his education
in the early subscription schools of Pennsylvania, where the system at
that time was not thorough as at the present time.
In 1842 Mr. Strouse moved to Illinois, living for a short time
in Stark County, where he engaged in farming. He moved to Lewistown,
and there superintended the tannery of William Proctor, remaining in
his employ a number of years. In 1852, our subject went to California,
traveling over the plains and being ninety-six days on the way. While
in California he turned his attention to gold-mining and during the
four years of his sojourn there was financially very successful.
However, he failed to find a desirable place for a home and returned to
Fulton County in the year 1856, and two years later purchased his
present farm. At that time there was a double log house and a log barn
on the place, and the land was not cultivated. Naturally, therefore, he
had great difficulty in bringing it to its present state of cultivation
and prosperity. He built an elegant brick residence in 1868 and
replaced the old barn with a very handsome one. His estate embraces one
hundred and eighty-three acres of fine farming land and yields every
year a fine income.
The subject of our sketch was married in 1850 to Miss Belle
Wallace, daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth Wallace, pioneer settlers of
Isabel Township, this county. This marriage was blessed with three
children, viz.: Addie, who is at home with her parents; Harry, who
resides in this place; and Frank, who is dead.
Mr. Strouse served two terms as Supervisor of Pleasant Township,
and served also as Collector. In politics he is a member of the
Democratic party, and takes much interest in affairs of public
importance. He is a member of the Masonic order at Lewistown, Lodge No.
104. While he is what is commonly designated as a self-made man, he is
well educated, and being fond of books is a great reader, and keeps
himself thoroughly posted both in literary and political matters. He is
a public spirited man and one who delights to advance both his own
interests and those of his neighbors. Today he ranks among the wealthy
and influential agriculturists of this county, and is surrounded by all
the comforts of life, proving the truth of the old assertion that
"industry will win in the race for fortune and position."
