Person:John Strean (1)

{geni:about_me} John Strean (sometimes written as Strain) was supposedly born on the Atlantic Ocean, on the ship from Ireland to the United States.

One of the most noted fights that ever came off in this county was between James Craig and his son-in-law, Jack Strain, and two of the Georges of Chester township. It occurred in this way: Old Jim was, as he said, in a fighting humor, when, in company with Jack, coming along the road home on foot they met the Georges near Clinton riding sprucely on horse-back, and required that they should get off their horses and fight them. Parson George explained that they were in a hurry to go home, and had neither time nor disposition for a fight. But Jim swore that they must get off and fight; and, there being no way of getting past them, as they help possession of the road, they reluctantly got off their horses and “pitched in.” Jack soon whipped his man, but it puzzled Jim to make his fight out, and the conclusion arrived at was, that they had taken too large a contract when they undertook to whip the Georges. Jim, in after years, would revert to this one fight with regret, as it was entirely uncalled for and only provoked by his determination for a trial of strength.

After the marriage of Jack Strain into his family, old Jim counted himself almost invincible. Jack was a very powerful and active man, unsurpassed for thews and sinews, bone and muscle. The great fight of the county might, with propriety, be called that of Strain with Roof. The count pretty much en masse witnessed it. It was a regular set-to – a prize fight not inferior, in the public estimation, to that of Heenan and Sayers. Jack fought with great spirit; he fought, if not for his life, for his wife; for old Jim swore that he (Strain) should never sleep again with his daughter if he didn’t whip him.

On January 12, 1812, John strain was found guilty of assault and battery. On June 23rd, 1817, John Strain was found guilty of two counts of assault and battery, charged $30 and costs, as well as $5 and costs for his “affray” with John Roof.

A History of Knox County, Ohio, from 1779 to 1862 Inclusive By A. Banning Norton, 1862 http://books.google.com/books?id=nKmk4_R8MwMC&pg=PA63&vq=strain

In 1840, only 1 15-20 year old female listed as living with John Strean, despite two daughters who probably fit this category (Mariah and Hester). Mary is probably already married and gone, and all other children up to Jane (not born yet) are accounted for. Next door, Adam Hull has a 15-20 year old in his home who is not his child, as well as his wife Elizabeth Crow.

Was Hester living in the Hull home and then married Adam upon Elizabeth's death around 1842?

1. ↑ {geni:county} Hardin