Charles T. Strattan was born May 07, 1853 at Wilmington Ohio, to STEPHEN T. STRATTAN and ISABELLA JANE PAVEY.

In 1855 he moved with his parents to Mercer Co. IL. and in 1857 they migrated to Mt Vernon, IL.

Charles attended the Mt.Vernon Seminary, and McKendree College at Lebanon IL . He then spent two years at Washington University at St Louis Mo. and two years at the Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. Finishing his school course in 1872 he returned home from Delaware and being in poor health was advised by the family physician to teach a term of school some distance in the country.

He took a position at a country school for $30.00 a month, riding on horseback to and from school each day. By the end of the school year his health had improved and he was able to resume his studies at the University of Delaware in Ohio.

In 1874 he became principal of the Mt. Vernon High School and the next year he became principal at the Nashville Illinois High School. He then to charge of the Schools of Edwardsville IL.

In 1878 he was invited to take a position at Washington University at St. Louis Mo. Which he accepted for two years. He studied the Law while he was teaching there.

In the Spring of 1880 he was admitted to the Illinois Bar and in the same year was nominated and elected from the Forty-Sixth District to the Thirty-Second General Assembly of the State of Illinois.

In 1882 he was the Republican nominee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction but was defeated. He returned to Mt Vernon and resumed the practice of Law.

Then on March 09, 1883 he was appointed by Governor Hamilton as one of three Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners for the State of IL. On September 21, 1893 he died and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mt Vernon IL.

Written and Submitted By: Nancy E Davis