HENRY STRICKLER.
Among the pioneers who had the courage to cast their fortunes in the heart of the wilderness, and the energy to wage deadly warfare with its giant trees, standing in a formidable and defiant array, was the gentleman of whom we write. Henry Strickler, son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Allen) Strickler, was born in Pennsylvania March 21, 1804. His parents were also natives of that State. His father was a weaver by trade, but became an invalid, and for ten years was unable to work. Finally, his infirmity ceased to trouble him, and he believed his recovery an answer to prayer. He was a licensed preacher in the Dutch Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife and children were also members. The grandfather of Henry Strickler was a merchant of Chester County, Penn. Just prior to the Revolutionary war, he went to England to purchase goods, but was pressed into the British service, and his goods and lands were confiscated by this Government. Henry Strickler came to Wabash County, Ind., in 1835, and entered 320 acres of land. He hired a man from La Gro to assist in the construction of a cabin. In 1836, Mr. Strickler moved upon his purchase, and began the arduous duties of clearing the dense forest which at that time covered his land. Here he spent the best days of his early manhood in the labor of improving his farm, and here he has prosecuted the vocation of farming for many years, enjoying in the "sere and yellow leaf" of his life a competence well earned by years of toil. He has been a prominent and highly respected citizen of his township from the first; his life is full of the true spirit of Christianity, which has so characterized his dealings with the world, that all unite in pronouncing him one of "God's noblest works" - an honest man. Mr. Strickler was married in November, 1822, to Elizabeth Bricker, a native of Pennsylvania, of which State her parents, Christian and Margaret, were also natives. The fruits of this union were nine children, six of whom are living, viz., John, William, Henry, George, Abraham and Mary. Two of the sons were in the Union army. One was honorably discharged for disability, and the other is among the "missing." Mr. Strickler erected the first Methodist Episcopal Church in North Manchester, and was long a member of its official board. Mrs. Strickler was a kind and loving woman, and left a large circle of friends and relatives who mourn her loss. The thread of life was severed in June, 1880. Mr. Strickler resides upon the old homestead a short distance west of North Manchester, and is enjoying in his old age the reward of a well-spent life.
