Meanwhile, I finally resume with Generation 7, represented by my great-great grandfather, Reuben Strait. He's the second Reuben in the generational chart. It's a family name. I'm not sure why. It's not a name recent generations have decided to recycle.
Ignore the keyboard. I'm an idiot in trying to copy pictures.
The rest of these words are my Dad's unless in italics.
This photo was probably taken in the 1880s. Left to right standing in the back row; Levi Silas Strait [Levi], Thomas Jefferson Strait [Jeff], William H. Strait [Bill], Eugene Bonhariis Strait [Gene], and DeWitt Clinton Strait [Clint]. Left to right seated; Jennie [Strait] Conklin, Reuben Strait, Ralph Wado Emerson Strait [Ralph], Mary Ann Clapp [Strait]. and Joseph [Strait] Buchanan. I don't think my Dad identified the young boy seated in the front. It may be one of Reuben's grandsons. Reuben Strait and Mary Strait are my Great-Grandparents and Eugene Strait is my Grandfather.
Reuben Strait, the son of Thomas Strait and Miria [Powell] Strait, was born October 27, 1834, in Tyrone Township, Steuben County, NY. When he was three years old he moved with his parents to Bloomfield, Butler County, Ohio. When he was 8 they moved to Jennings County, Indiana, and when he was 13 they moved again to Macedon Center, Wayne County, NY. At age 18, on June 30, 1853, he married Mary Ann Clapp, also 18. They lived in Macedon Center until moving to Sec. 31, Hanover Township, Jackson County, Michigan in 1857. Jackson County becomes the base for the Strait family from this generation through my Dad's.
Reuben Strait was a good and successful farmer and at one time owned over 645 acres in central southern Michigan. He was a school officer for many years. He was Highway Commissioner for 9 years. He was elected as Justice of the Peace serving for many years. In 1882, he was nominated by the Democratic Party to run for the State Senate. He was not elected. He was nominated in 1884 by both the Democratic Party and the Greenback Party to run for the State House of Representatives. Again he was not elected. Yeah, the connection of Straits to Democrats goes at least that far back! It's also to note that the birthplace of the Republican Party is often considered their first meeting held in Jackson, Mi on July 6, 1854. So, even thirty years later, he might have been facing some heavy headwinds. And although the positions of the parties have switched over the decades, unlike the Southern Democrats, I don't think you can conclude that racist feelings were a dominant part of Michigan Democrats. Since Greenbacks are mentioned, I would think it would have more to do with securing the place of farmers and creating a sounder currency not subject to as much speculation.
He was a member of the Pomona Grange and through the chairs in the Moscow Grange where he became the Worshipful Master. Per Wikipedia, the Grange "is a fraternal organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture." Moscow is the name of a town in Jackson county - no commie connotations. Reuben Strait died Feb. 9, 1918, at the age of 84 years 3 months.
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