My family tree

[Strickler.GED]

A native of Iroquois Co., Illinois, Charles moved to Rossville as ayoung man . He was first a member of the Methodist Church, but soonbecame long time memb ers of Rossville Church of Christ. Charles alwaysran a business in Rossville. He had a dray operation for a number ofyears. He also had a contract with the United States Postal Service tomeet the mail trains and take the mail from the Post Office to thedepot. The Post Office would put the first class mail in a pouch whichwas then attached to a mail rack pole along the railroad track. The train would grab the pouch with a steel arm and letters were on theirway. He a lso picked up the mail dropped off the train for Rossville, anddelivered it to the Post Office. Charles also had a grocery store and ameat market on the nort h side of East Attica St. A valued employee wasEmery German Beckley. Another was Noah Scrubby McBride. In that daypeople could call their orders in and h ave them delivered. Charlesretired, selling the business to Russell and Marjor ie Young. Charles hada beautiful tenor voice. He sang in a quartet with Stell a Bogart, GoldieClaypool and Nora Schultz. The often sang at social events and funerals. Charles was interested in anything that might promoteRossville. In the 1920's he was Mayor of Rossville. He was instrumentalin having the first s top light installed at Rossville. It was in themiddle of the intersection of C hicago and Attica Streets. Many peopledisagreed about its location. He was se cretary Treasurer of theRossville Cemetery. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen, Masonic Lodge andserved as Worthy Patron in Eastern Star.