William O. Stranahan

Name: William O. Stranahan Company: A Promoted Corporal; deserted March 7, 1863, at Germantown, Tennessee
Birth Date: about 1830	Mustered In Date: December 28, 1861 Rank: Private Age: 31 Residence prior to military service: Michigan; Minnesota
Death Date: 1880	Mustered Out Deserted March 7, 1863 Age: about 32 Residence following military service: Leon Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota Vocation following military service: farmer

William O. Stranahan Biography and Civil War Narrative

William Ozro Stranahan was born in 1831 to William Henry and Emily "Millie" (King) Stranahan. Other children of William and Emily included daughter Caroline (born 1819), son DeWitt Clinton (born 1826 in New York), son James F. (born 1832), daughter Emiline H. (born 1837), and son Pembroke (born 1844 in Michigan). About 1853 (estimated), William Stranahan married Ann (also known as Mary E.). About 1855 while living in Michigan, William and Ann had a daughter, Emaly, and about a year later they had a son, Frank. After moving to Minnesota they had another daughter, Emma (born about 1858). Sons Fred and Willie were born in Minnesota about 1861 and 1862 respectively.

Leaving his wife and five children, William Stranahan enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment on December 28, 1861. Two other Stranahans from Goodhue County also enlisted: Oscar Stranahan on February 12, 1862, and his younger brother, Henry, on March 15. Oscar and Henry were possibly cousins of William; most likely they were related somehow. William Stranahan was promoted to Corporal.

In a letter dated May 7th, 1862, Martin Webster of Stranahan's Company A tells his wife in Hastings, Minnesota, that he will send her money "by Mr. Stranahan," but he doesn't specify the Mr. Stranahan to which he refers. From May 10 to 24, Company A was transported to Mississippi, where they reported to General John Pope near Corinth. Corporal William Stranahan served in Company A for a little more than a year during which time the 5th Regiment participated in the Siege of Corinth (May 26-30), the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi (September 19), the Battle of Corinth (October 4), and Grant's Central Mississppi (Railroad) Campaign (November 1862-January 1863).

On March 11, 1863, the 5th Minnesota was camped at Germantown, Tennessee. In another letter to his wife, Martin Webster wrote: "George Marshal and Stranahan got a pass and went out about a week ago. They have not returned yet. They are either killed or taken prisoners most likely." Regimental records state that Corporal Stranahan deserted on March 7, 1863, at Germantown, Tennessee. Private George Marshall also deserted, but not until November 1864.

In 1870 William and Ann lived and farmed in Leon Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, along with their six children: Emaly (age 15), Frank (age 14), Emma (age 12), Fred (age 9), Willie (age 8), and a young daughter Getty ("Gerty"; age 2, born in Minnesota).

William Ozro Stranahan died in 1880. Census records from that year show his family living in Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota. In addition to his widow, Mary, the household included son Frank (a 23-year-old carpenter), Frank's wife Jessica (age 19), sons Fred (a 19-year-old cabinet maker) and Willie (age 17), daughters Gerty (age 12) and Lucy (age 8, born in Minnesota), and granddaughter Winnie (age 16, born in Minnesota).

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This page is maintained by Tim Bode (timbode@juno.com ). Last modified on 10/21/08.