Rev. John Richard STRONG ²

  Research Notes:

Rev. J. R. Strong was a Methodist Episcopal South minister. References to his ministry can be found in various places in southwest Missouri, including, in addition to where he lived at the time of the various censuses, Jasper, Pettis and Johnson Counties, Missouri.

The author has an undated digital copy of a photograph of group of children, probably a Sunday school class, on the steps of one of his churches, location unknown. Signage indicates the pastor of this Methodist Episcopal South church was Rev. J. R. Strong. An "X" appears beneath one of the boys, probably indicating son Donnon. He looks to be about 10-12 years old, which would date the photo 1906-1908. Although gender determination is not easy, the adult standing behind him may be J. R. with full cropped hair and in a cassock-like garment.

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  Birth Notes:

The Strong Family Bible date of birth matches the 1900 census. I have disregarded his death certificate date of birth, which was 22 Feb 1866.

  Death Notes:

Obituary from Jasper News, Jasper, MO, dated 18 Aug 1921:

"Rev. J. R. Strong, who was presiding elder of the M. E. Church, South, for this district eight years up to three years ago, died at his home in Mount Washington, near Kansas City, August 3.

Rev. Mr. Strong was quite well known in Jasper, having preached here a number of times and was highly regarded by all."

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census: 1880, Platte County, Missouri. ⁷

Dwelling 315, Family 327, Platte City
Household of John Collins:
John Strong, white, male, age 19, laborer, single, works on farm, born in Missouri, father born in Ill, mother born in Mo

Note: It is not certain this is John R. Strong, but the information enumerated matches him and is consistent with John striking out on his own after the death of his parents.

2. Census: 1900, Henry County, Missouri. ⁸

Dwelling 95, Family 95, Calhoun City, Tebo Township

Strong, John R, head, white, male, born Feb 1861, age 39, married 5 years, born in Missouri, father born in Illinois, mother born in Missouri, Preacher, can read, write and speak English, rents house

Strong, Mildred, wife, white female, born Dec 1868, age 31, married 5 years, 2 children born, 2 still living, born in Missouri, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Missouri, can read, write and speak English

Strong, Donnan, son, white, male, born Jul 1896, age 3, single, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Missouri, speaks English

Strong, Mary F, daughter, white, female, born May 1898, age 2, single, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Missouri

3. Census: 1910, Barry County, Missouri. ⁹

Dwelling 225, Family 231, Ward 3, Monett

Strong, John R, head, male, white, age 45, married 15 years, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Missouri, Clergyman

Strong, Mildred, wife, female, white, age 40, married 15 years, 3 childen 2 still living, born in Missouri, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Missouri

Strong, Donnan, son, male, white, age 13, single, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Missouri

Strong, Elizabeth, daughter, female, white, age 2, single, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Missouri

4. Census: 1920, Jackson County, Missouri. ¹⁰

Dwelling 65, Family 67, Blue Township, 12 Precinct

Strong, John R, head, rents, male, white, age 50, married, can read and write, born in Missouri, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Virginia, speaks English, Clergyman

Strong, Mildred, wife, female, white, age 50, married, can read and write, born in Missour, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Missouri, speaks English

Strong, Elizabeth, daughter, female, white, age 12, single, attends school, can read and write, born in Missouri, father and mother born in Missouri

John married Mildred L. ELLIS on 28 Nov 1894 in Vienna, Maries County, Missouri.¹ (Mildred L. ELLIS was born in Dec 1868 in Maries County, Missouri ⁸ and died after 1930 ¹¹.)