In this volume may be found the biographies of many influential citizens, who have plodded up the steeps of honor and prosperity with remarkable energy and success. The life of Mr. Strickland furnishes another example of this kind, lie is now the owner of a farm comprising one hundred and seventy-four acres on section 24, Am boy Township, and thereupon is devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He has a fine herd of Galloway cattle and also makes a specialty of Shetland ponies, of which he owns some splendid specimens. Progressive in every way, he is known in this section of country, as the pioneer in dehorning cattle and has dehorned upwards of fifteen thousand head. The parents of our subject were Joel H., a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and Nicena (Cargill) Strickland, who was born in New Hampshire. Their first home after marriage was in Oneida County, whence they removed to Susquehanna County, Pa., and from there, in 1849, to Lee County. After coming here they at once settled in Amboy Township, where the remaining years of their lives were passed and where both died at a good old age. Seven children were born of their union, our subject being the fifth. During the residence of his parents in Thompson, Susquehanna County, Pa., Seneca E. was born January 18, 1886. His childhood days were passed on his father's farm in the place of his birth, where he received the rudiments of his education.

When his parents removed to Leo County, our subject accompanied them and grew to manhood in Amboy Township, remaining at home until he attained to his majority. Since he first came to this township he has lived here continuously with the exception of three years in Chicago, where he was engaged in the real-estate and notion business, and a sojourn in Indiana. He learned the trade of a wagon maker in Binghamton, this county, and engaged in that business in Amboy Township from 1859 until 1864. Since the last-named date he has been occupied in farming and stock-raising, in which lie has met with satisfactory results.

The marriage of Mr. Strickland and Miss Amanda M. Braintertook place in Amboy Township December 25, 1859. The bride was the daughter of Andrew and .Jemima (Doane) Bainter, natives respectively of Montgomery County, Ohio, and Wayne County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Bainter came to Lee County prior to their union, which was celebrated in Amboy Township May 3, 1838. They afterward began life together in the place of their marriage, and there resided until 1866, when they removed to Lagrange County, Ind. Four years later they moved to Fulton County, the same State, where Mr. Bainter died March 3, 1884. His wife passed away in Adams County, Ind.. December 27, 1884, while on a visit to a daughter.

The eldest in a family of six children, three of whom were sons and three daughters, Mrs. Strickland was born in Amboy Township, May 25, 1839, and grew to womanhood in her native place. She is the mother of four children, namely: Belle B., who died in infancy; a child that died unnamed; Genevieve; and Clyde K., who died when ten months old. Upon his good farm. Mr. Strickland has erected a first-class set of buildings and has made other improvements which have suggested themselves to his progressive mind. In his political sympathies, he is a Republican, and although he has never been an office-seeker, he has been prevailed upon to accept various official positions of trust. As he takes an especial interest in educational matters, he has served as School Director with marked efficiency, and has also been Highway Commissioner. He is a Royal Arch Mason, having belonged to the order since 1860.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portraits and Biographical Lee Co. 1892