Bootmaker
Christian Sprang or Spreng Sr. was born in Germany,on the French frontier,
January 1, 1777. Here he grew to manhood amid the strife of those times, and
when old enough was enlisted in the French army under Napoleon. Here he was
much hardship as a soldier, surviving the Russian campaign and also a wound
made by a musket ball passing through his lungs. He finally closed a 21 year
career as a soldier on the battlefield of Waterloo in June 1815, when Napoleon
was defeated and captured by the English, under Wellington. About this time he
married Magdelana Nuesp and to them were born five childen. Four sons and one
daughter. All of whom came to America with him in 1828. the family settled in
Washington township township, Holmes county, Ohio where he lived until his
death,which occured on July 18, 1862. He was 85 years old.Another record shows
he was born Thum,Canton Berne,Switzerland
77. Magdelana Nuesp
Magdelena Nuesp or Heinberger?Born 1785 Schweighouse-sur-Moder,bas-Rhin
80. Jakob Strayle
Jakob Strayle and his wife Maria Roff of Echtendingen, Germany immigrated to
America to Branford, Connecticut. They are the parents of Jakob Straley born in
1751, and died 1831, who married Katherine Barbara Schedel in 1773. Katherine
was born 1756, and died 1837. Later they moved to York Co. Pennyslvania. They
are the parents of George Straley who was born 12 Dec. 1815 in Dover, York,
Pennsylvania. He was Pennsylvania Dutch, he could not speak English. At the age
of 19 he left his native state and started on foot westward, arrived in
Trumbull Co. Ohio six weeks later. He carried his belongings in "saddle bags",
these were in possession of Sidney Straly, then in 1933 were in possession of
Seldon E. Straley, a grandson. George's trade was a cabinet maker, having three
years of apprenticeship. He made coffins for people in the surrounging
neighborhood. March 22, 1838 he was united in marriage to Lydia Tresdell, born
27 june 1814 in Vienna Township,Trumbull, Ohio. The Truesdells are of English
Descent. To this union were born seven children. George had a desire to settle
on good farmland, he had heard of the good farming land in Indiana. So in April
1854, he and his family moved to Jay Co. Indiana, where he purchased one
hundred and twenty acres of land in Wayne Township, 4 1/2 miles NE of
Portland, Indiana. Lydia died 15 Dec 1854 and buried in the bloomfield
cementary North of Portland ,Indiana.
On Dec. 11, 1856 George Married Martha Ellen Prouty, born 12 June 1826.
To this union three daughters were born. Martha died 20 June 1861, leaving a
new baby just 16 days old. She also is buried in Bloomfield Cemetery.
So once again George is left with young children.
On 7 Nov 1861 George married Deborah Votaw, born 28 Nov 1834 In Ohio. to this
union three sons were born. Deborah died 17 Nov. 1907. Her funeral service was
at the Pleasant Ridge Church north of Portland,Indiana.
Many of the Straley funerals were held in this church. Deborah is buried in the
Gravel Hill Cementary west of Bryant, Indiana.
George was man of positive habits; and very industrious and honest.
George died 2 March 1887, his funeral service was conducted by Rev. Semars of
Portland, Indiana. He was buried in a walnut casket that he made. Buried in the
Bloomfield Cemetery.