Biography of A.T. Strong, pages 1018 / 1019 / 1020.  History of De Kalb 
County, Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

A.T. Strong, was born May 14, 1845, in Whitley County, Ind., two miles north 
of Columbia City, on what was known as the Homer Alexander farm, a son of 
Ephriam and Angeline (Hill) Strong When he was one year old his father moved 
one mile west of Columbia City on a piece of land which is now a part of the 
county farm, and when he was five years of age his father moved to Columbia 
City and engaged in the grocery and provision trade which afforded him a 
good opportunity of attending school, helping him in the grocery spare 
times.  In 1856 his mother died, and in 1857 his father married Helenor 
Kiler.  During the same year moved to the country, three and a half miles 
northwest of Columbia City, on what was known as the Walker farm, and in 
the winter of 1859-’60 removed seven miles north of Columbia City, on what 
was known as the Humburger farm.  He served his father until March 1, 
1864, when he, with Vallorous Brown, enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth 
Indiana Infantry, arrived at Indianapolis, March 2, mustered into service 
March 3, and the 4th of March drew one months’ pay ($13) and $50 bounty.  
Armed with revolver, paper-collar and pair of cavalry boots he got a 
furlough home for ten days; reported at Camp Carrington March 15; on the 
16th boarded the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis train for 
Louisville; camped about two weeks at Louisville, when he was mounted and 
took up line of march for Nashville; passing through Nashville marched for 
Chattanooga, via Deckerd and Huntsville, and arrived at Chattanooga, May 
1, 1864; May 7th was engaged on the right wing reconnoitering and 
skirmishing at Tunnel Hill; was engaged at Buzzard’s Roost, Dalton, Rocky 
Face Ridge, Snake Creek Gap, Rome , Alatoona, Kingston, Carterville; was 
dismounted at Burnt Hickory by horse falling from under him; June 5th was 
put on detached duty at Columbia. Tenn., on the 12th of July rejoined his 
command at Etawa Ridge and took part in the engagements at Buck Head, 
Cross Keyes and Peach Tree Creek; July 21st went to Covington, east of 
Atlanta, cutting telegraph lines and tearing up railroad track; about the 
30th of July was engaged in the Jonesborough fight, following Hood back to 
Nashville.  He was taken sick on the march and went into hospital, branch 
of No. 3. In November he rejoined his command which was sent to Louisville 
to be remounted; thence to Gravally Springs, and went into camp for the 
winter; March 20th took up line of march for raid through Alabama and 
Georgia; April 2, 1865, had a hard fight at Selma.  His comrade, Brown, 
was wounded in left cheek, but under the careful care of Strong he soon 
recovered, never leaving ranks; May 20th was one of the advance guard, 
taking the city of Macon, Ga., and was detailed as safeguard for Mr. Cox 
by Major-General Wilson; May 25th was called in and Company C started out 
along the Southwestern Railroad, via Oglethorp, Fort Valey, in search of 
Jeff Davis, who was escaping across the country.  At Cuthbert, Brown was 
poisoned and unable to go any further, and he was detailed to take care of 
him; remained two weeks at Cuthbert and returned to Macon; was mustered 
out of service Oct. 5, 1865, and was honorably discharge; arrived at home 
Oct. 13, 1865.  He then engaged in farming with his father and attended 
the High School under Professor Dolan.  He opened the first winter school 
in December, 1865; attended the High School the following summer and 
graduated, and taught school the following winter.  March 26, 1868, he was 
married to Almedia Iams. He farmed and ran a threshing-machine during 
summer, and in the fall and winter taught at Hively’s school-house.  In 
the spring of 1870 he removed to Columbia City and engaged in the 
manufacture of broom-handles, and May 21, 1871, he was employed at bridge-
building on the D.,E.R.& I. Railroad, then under course of construction; 
July 5 he went on the iron train, and Oct. 5 got the job of wiping; June 
12, 1872, was promoted to fireman; in May, 1874, to switch engineer, and 
to road engineer in August, 1874.  He moved to Logansport in November, 
1876, and was given the accommodation train; Aug. 15, 1881, he was 
promoted to passenger engineer, and Dec. 3 removed to Butler, Ind.  In 
June, 1885, Mr. Strong took a trip with some of his comrades through the 
South, visiting the old battlefields on which they fought.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Strong have two sons---Jeddy, born Dec.28, 1868, and Herber, born Oct. 1, 
1876. 

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com