Fred J. Strain

Fred Jolly Strain (July 25, 1868 - July 15, 1949) was an American soldier in the Spanish-American War, a local government official, building contractor, furniture dealer, and mortician who made a significant contribution to Nebraska during the early 20th century.
After serving during the Spanish-American War, Fred J. Strain served the community of Shelby, Nebraska as a member of the city council, police magistrate, and mayor while also owning and operating the Fred J. Strain Furniture and Undertaking store. In addition he served as general contractor erecting the Shelby Post Office (1912), his store (1912) and funeral home (1929). He was chosen for lifetime membership in the Nebraskana Society and appeared in the Who’s Who in Nebraska, 1940.
Early life, family & ancestry
On July 25, 1868, at Richmond, Indiana, Fred J. Strain was born to David Fletcher Strain (1845-1925) who was born in Highland County, Ohio and Mary Elma (Taylor) Strain (1845-1924) who was born in Cedarville, Ohio. His Strain ancestors immigrated to South Carolina in the mid 1700s from Feney Townland, Magheralin Parish, County Down, Northern Ireland. His mother was a descendant of the Quaker Michener and Stanton families.
Edwin McMasters Stanton was a first cousin of his grandmother, Martha Michener.
His marriage to Bertha Marie Jarmin (daughter of William Jarmin and Sophronia Bull ) took place at Corpus, Christi, Texas, August 13, 1891. Her ancestors were Quakers also, and came from England, in 1632. They had three children: Pearl, born June 18, 1892, who married George McMeekin after the death of her first husband, Osbal Destin Cator ; Hazel, born July 10, 1897, who married Delmar West McFadden ; and Elma, born November 29, 1899, who died May 9, 1906.
Education
Fred J. Strain graduated from Xenia High School in Xenia, Illinois in 1884.
Military service
Fred Strain came from a long line of military volunteers. His father served in the 2nd Ohio Cavalry and the 9th_Indiana_Infantry_Regiment during the American Civil War; his great grandfather, David Fletcher Strain (1788-1851) served in the War of 1812; and his great, great grandfather, David Strain (1752-1823) along with 3 of his brothers served in the Revolutionary War.
Fred enlisted in Company C, on May 1st 1898 and trained at Chickamauga Park, Georgia. He was honorably discharged as a commissary sergeant at Fort Logan near Little Rock, Arkansas.
Occupations
Before and after his military service, Fred Strain worked in a number of different occupations. Living in Shelby after August 19, 1899, he entered the furniture and undertaking business May 20, 1906, and was granted his license January 5, 1910, by the State of Nebraska.
* 1890-1891; Wichita county, Kansas; farming
* 1891; Corpus Christi, Texas
* 1892-1894; Grand Junction, Colorado; employed by Carpenter & Gage Nursery
* 1894-1897; Bentonville, Arkansas; produce business
* 1898; Kansas City, Missouri; employed by Swift & Company
* 1899-1904; Shelby, Nebraska; farming
* 1904-1906; Oregon; farming
* 1906-1940; Shelby, Nebraska; furniture dealer & mortician
Community service
Fred Strain served the Shelby, Nebraska community in many different capacities. This community service included:
* Police magistrate in Shelby for 15 years from 1919-1934
* Member of the Shelby city council for 12 years
* Mayor of Shelby for 3 years
* Local War Board in Shelby from 1917 to 1918
* First Lieutenant in the Shelby (NE) Home Guard Company from May 13, 1918 to May 13, 1919
Strain was politically active in the Republican party serving in both county and state politics. He was also very active in the Nebraska Department of the United Spanish War Veterans serving as a representative of Nebraska at the national conventions in Havana, Cuba (1928), Los Angeles (1933), and Atlantic City, NJ (1939) . He was also very active in state and national concerns of the United Brethren Church serving at the General Conference of the United Brethren Church held in 1940.
Memberships
* AF&AM Masonic Lodge No. 161, Shelby
* AOUW, Ancient Order of United Workmen
* Nebraska Funeral Director’s Association
Final years
Strain died on July 15, 1949. His body was buried at the in Polk County at Shelby.

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