What may be accomplished by a young man possessing brains, energy and good principles is exemplified in the life of Charles C. Strong, one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Grand Ridge, LaSalle county, and we are glad to be able to present to his numerous friends in business and social circles, here and elsewhere, the following synopsis of his career and history.
His father, Alfred W. Strong, was one of the honored early farmer settlers of DuPage county, Illinois, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Orilla J. Crawford, was a native of Hudson, Ohio, and died when Charles C. was but two years of age. He was the second eldest of four children, the others being Emma, now the wife of Dr. M. Bullesfeld, of Troy Grove, Illinois; Caroline, who is unmarried and resides in Waterbury, Conn.; and Emmett, who died in New Mexico, about six years ago. The lather, who was a man of liberal education and attainments, was killed by the cars while attending a Knights Templar conclave in St. Louis, Missouri, ten years ago, and was mourned by all who had known him.
The birth of Charles C. Strong took place four miles south of the town of Naperville, DuPage county, in 1862, and when he arrived at a suitable age he commenced attending the schools of his native place. Later he entered the local college and made good progress in his studies. Upon embarking in the world of business he obtained employment with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and was telegraph operator and station and ticket agent and served in other capacities during the fourteen or fifteen years of his connection with that corporation. In 1894 he came to Grand Ridge, where he has invested considerable money, and where he intends to make his permanent home. Five years ago he established the now thriving Bank of Grand Ridge, and was one of the original stockholders in the First National Bank at Earlville, Illinois. He owns valuable real estate in various parts of this county, and brick business houses in Grand Ridge, heated with hot water throughout, with large plate-glass windows and finished in oak, this representing, in part, what he has achieved unaided. In his political views he favors the platform of the Republican party, and votes accordingly, and is usually in attendance at their political conventions. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of Knights Templars. Mr. Strong is a member of the village council and has under his supervision the construction of a sewer for draining Grand Ridge and various other local improvements for the upbuilding of Grand Ridge.
The marriage of Mr. Strong and Miss Abbie L. Aldrich took place at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Laura Aldrich, December 23, 1883, at Mendota, Illinois. Three sons and a little daughter bless the home of our subject and wife, their names in order of birth being as follows: Willis V., Robert, Orilla and Charles Howard. The family reside in an attractive home and within its hospitable walls their numerous friends are frequently entertained. Mr. and Mrs. Strong are members of the Presbyterian church at Grand Ridge.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 342-343.
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