Biographical Sketch of

Nathan Strong

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 615 


Nathan H. Strong.  The history of Green Lake County would be incomplete and it would be great injustice to 
his many friends if we should omit from this record the sketch of Mr. Strong, the founder of the city of 
Berlin.  He was born on Isle La Mott, Grand Isle Co., Vt., on the 11th day of November, 1813, and was a 
son of Nathan and Sally (Westover) Strong.  The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in his native 
State, and on reaching maturity he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Sarah Sheldon, the 
wedding taking place in Michigan in 1834.  A family of five children, three sons and two daughters, was 
born of their union:  Lewis G., the eldest, was a Captain in the 5th Wisconsin Regiment during the late 
war, and is said to have been the first enlisted man of Berlin.  He had studied the legal profession and 
was a young lawyer of much promise, but when his country became encompassed by danger he laid aside the 
work which he had chosen and responded to the Government's call for aid.  He was shot in the assault on 
Mary's Hill, below Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863, and the wound caused his death.  He was a brave officer 
who had won his commission as Captain by his meritorious conduct and dauntless courage on the field of 
battle.  His record as a student was a brilliant one and he had already gained prominence at the bar, 
when in his patriotic devotion to his country he enlisted in her defense and gave his life a ransom for 
her preservation.  His brother, James R., was also a martyr of that struggle, being killed during the 
Seven Days' Battle of the wilderness.

Mr. Strong was the first settler of the city of Berlin and was its founder.  He settled on its site in 
the fall of 1846 and platted a village which he called Strongville, and which was afterwards known as 
Strong's Landing.  He built the first sawmill in the village and also erected the first residence.  Time 
passed, and other settlers came, and as the years flew by the little hamlet continued to grow until it 
has now been transformed into the beautiful and populous city of Berlin, which contains 5,000 inhabitants.

The death of Mr. Strong's wife occurred in Ceresco, Wis., Nov. 5, 1845, after which he was again married, 
his second union being with Miss Amanda Carhart, by whom he has one child, a son, Nathan H., who is now 
living in Chicago with his mother.

Mr. Strong was an active business man and had his life been prolonged would no doubt have held his place 
in the community as a prominent citizen, but six years after settling in Berlin he was called home on the 
23d of August, 1852.  He was a Whig in politics and a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist Church.  
Though but comparatively few of the settlers of Green Lake County were acquainted with him, he is known by 
reputation to the present generation and through years to come will be remembered with love and gratitude 
as the founder of Berlin.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu