Eli E. Strayer is a prominent representative of the real estate and loan business at Bryan and is a scion of one of the well-known pioneer families of Williams County. He was born in Jefferson Township, this county, August 30, 1858, and is a son of Peter W. and Mary C. (Butler) Strayer, the former of whom was born in Lucas County, this state, and the latter in Williams County. Peter W. Strayer was a boy at the time when his parents established their home in Williams County, and his father became a pioneer farmer in Jefferson Township, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, secure in the high esteem of the entire community. Peter W. Strayer was here reared and educated under the conditions and influence that marked what may be termed the middle-pioneer period of the history of the county, and he became one of the successful exponents of farm industry in Jefferson Township, where he continued to reside until he was well advanced in years, both he and his wife having passed the closing period of their lives in the City of Montpelier, this county, and both having been zealous members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Strayer was a republican in political allegiance and while residing on his farm he was called upon to serve in various local offices of public trust. Of the three children the subject of this review is the eldest; Louise is the wife of William Porter, of Montpelier; and Miss Carrie likewise resides at Montpelier — in the old home of her parents.
The boyhood and youth of Eli E. Strayer were marked by his attending the public schools and assisting in the work of the old home farm. He remained with his parents on the farm until the time of his marriage, shortly before attaining to his legal majority, and thereafter he continued his association with farm enterprise until his removal to Bryan, where he now controls a substantial and prosperous business in the handling of real estate and the extending of loans on approved real estate securities. He has served as a member of the city council and is a staunch supporter of the principles of the republican party, both he and his wife being earnest members of the United Brethren Church at Bryan, in which he is serving as a member of the board of trustees.
July 2, 1878, recorded the marriage of Mr. Strayer to Miss Amanda Howey, and they have one son, Ralph H., who was born April 17, 1891, and who supplemented his public school discipline by a course in a commercial college at Morgantown, West Virginia, he being now associated with his father in the real estate and loan business.
Source: Bowersox, Charles A. ed. A standard history of Williams County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development , 2 vols. Publisher Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1920.