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Minister, Civil War Veteran
Minister, Civil War Veteran
Birth: August 13, 1834, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Death: March 5, 1915, Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio
Burial: Vienna Township Cemetery, Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio
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Military Service: Sergeant, 171st Regiment, Company D, Ohio Volunteer Infantry (National Guard)
Draft records of July 1863 list Robert Stranahan as a farmer living in Liberty. He served as a Sergeant in the 171st Regiment, organized in May 1864 for 100 days’ service at Johnson’s Island, and at Covington and Cynthiana, Kentucky. Near Cynthiana the regiment was captured, robbed, and paroled by Confederates under leadership of General John Hunt Morgan, who by that point was being investigated by the Confederate government for criminal banditry.
The 1870 and 1880 Federal Censuses list Stranahan’s occupation as “wagon maker” and his family included wife Sarah and children Ida, Willie, Frank, and Lucy.
Stranahan became a minister and enjoyed a nearly 60-year career. He was called “the Marrying Man” because he likely officiated at more marriages in Trumbull County than any other individual. His house--the site of many a marriage--still stands on Niles-Vienna Road, not far from Vienna Center.
Other Vienna residents who served in the 171st Ohio Volunteer Infantry include Harris Dwight Baldwin, William W. Miller, Allison Dural Truesdell, and Jesse Wireman [Wierman].
Regimental History, 171st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (National Guard)
Overview: Organized at Sandusky, Ohio, and mustered in May 7, 1864. On guard and fatigue duty at Johnson's Island till June 8. Moved to Covington, Ky., thence to Cynthiana, Ky. Attached to General Hobson's Command, District of Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio. Action at Kellar's Bridge. Ky., near Cynthiana, Ky., June 11. Cynthiana, Ky., June 12. Regiment captured. Paroled June 13 and ordered to Camp Dennison, Ohio. Duty there and at Johnson's Island, Ohio, till August. Mustered out August 20, 1864.
Regiment lost during service 17 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 15 Enlisted men by disease. Total 32.
Updated 8/13/2020
Read more about the 171st Regiment at the Ohio Civil War Central Encyclopedia.
Photo courtesy of Kay Dueber Verch, descendant of Rev. Robert Stranahan.
Photo courtesy of Kay Dueber Verch, descendant of Rev. Robert Stranahan.
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