Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Strickler Family Papers, 1887-1928, SC 0326, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased from Tim Abbott Americana in December 2019.

Processing Information

Letters were removed from their respective envelopes and fastened together with stainless steel paper clips.

Bio/Historical Information

The Strickler Family Papers primarily document the Joseph Thomas Strickler (1828-1889) and Sarah Brubaker Strickler (1836-1891) family originally from Page County, Virginia, specifically their children's families. At some point several members of the Strickler family moved out west to Washington (Sprague and Harrington), Nevada, and California to engage in various professional ventures including the lumber industry.

Strickler family members documented in this collection include Reuben Thomas Strickler (1854-1937) of Page County; William Isaac Strickler (1857-1928) of Nevada; and David Benton Strickler (1869-1898), Joseph Gideon Strickler (1855-1924), and Jacob Perry Strickler (1872-1934), all of Washington.

David Benton Strickler frequently wrote letters on his business letterhead including Shields & Bassett Lumber, D. B. Strickler, and Amon & Strickler.

Scope and Content

The Strickler Family Papers, 1887-1928, primarily comprise correspondence written by members of the Strickler family originally of Page County, Virginia who had relocated to Washington and Nevada. Reuben Thomas Strickler of Page County is the primary recipient of the correspondence. A travel diary documents a 1928 trip from New Market, Virginia to California and back to settle the estate of William Isaac Strickler.

The collection largely comprises correspondence written by David Benton Strickler (1869-1898) to his brother Reuben Thomas Strickler (1854-1937) and mother Sarah Brubaker Strickler (1836-1891) in Page County. Letters were written from Sprague and Harrington, Washington where David Strickler lived and worked in the lumber industry. The correspondence provides updates on family and work matters, and are generally newsy in their content.

Additional correspondence was written to Reuben Strickler by his brothers Jacob Perry, Joseph Gideon, and William Isaac. William Isaac Strickler (1857-1928) also wrote to his niece Mary Stickler Hoover (1895-1972). A cross-hatched style letter was written to Joseph Gideon Strickler in February 15, 1887 by an unknown sender.

An April-May 1928 travel diary chronicles a trip out west from New Market, Virginia to Nevada (and further on to Washington, Oregon, and California) after the death of William Isaac Strickler in March 1928. Contextual clues suggest that the diary was likely written by Mary Lucy Strickler Hoover (daughter of Reuben Strickler) who traveled with husband Samuel Beery Hoover. The goal of the trip appears to be settling William Strickler's estate as well as visiting with family. Someone known only as "B." is the diarist's companion on the trip. There are mentions of "Uncle Will" [Strickler] and "Uncle Perry" [Strickler] who lived in Vancouver, Washington. The couple made the trip via a Ford automobile part of the way and also traveled via train and bus. The pair visited Hazel Strickler Halford and husband Bill in Los Angeles. The diary also documents their trip back home to New Market.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically and filed according to the sender of the correspondence. If the author of the letter is unknown, the letter is filed according to the recipient. Addressed envelopes with no corresponding letter were filed according to the sender if known.

Related Material

Mr.& Mrs. James Hoover collection of Strickler family papers, 1776-1963, SC 0098, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Automobile travel -- United States -- History -- 20th century
• Diaries
• Letters (correspondence)
• Lumbering -- United States -- 20th century
• New Market (Va.) -- History
• Page County (Va.) -- History
• Shenandoah County (Va.) -- History
• Strickler family
• Strickler, Reuben T. (Reuben Thomas), 1854-1937
• Travel -- History -- 20th century
• Travelers -- United States -- 20th century
• Travelers' writings -- History -- 20th century