MT. VERNON’S OLDEST MERCHANT DIED SUDDENLY IN FLORIDA

Stroke of Apoplexy Proves Fatal for R. L. Strattan; Began Business Career in Mt. Vernon in 1867; Long a Leading Citizen.

Rynd L. Strattan, for nearly half a century a prominent merchant of Mt. Vernon , and who had been longer in business in this city than any other citizen, died last evening at Gulf Port, Florida following a stroke of apoplexy.

Mr. and Mrs. Strattan had been spending the winter in Florida as had been their practice for a number of years. Mr. Strattan, despite the fact that he was 74 years old, was in good health until he suffered the stroke of apoplexy which caused his death. It was the second stroke of the kind he had sustained, but he had told his family that when the end came it would come suddenly.

Keith T. Strattan left for Florida , Sunday evening, on learning of his father’s illness, but did not reach Gulf Port until after the death.

No citizen of Mt. Vernon stood higher and was more generally respected than the veteran merchant who died last evening.

His business career was a remarkable one. He embarked in the hardware business in this city in 1867 and has been an active merchant continuously until a few years ago when his two sons took charge of the business. Although Mr. Strattan’s business greatly increased in volume during later years, he never moved from the section on Ninth street where he had located, a few months after becoming a merchant.

For nearly fifty years now this business has been conducted in the same location. It now bears the name R. L. Strattan’s Sons.

Mr. Strattan was the oldest son of Captain S. T. Strattan one of the most progressive and well known of the early day citizens of Mt. Vernon. A man who by his enterprise and ability made a lasting impression in the community.

Mr. Strattan was born at Wilmington, Ohio on Jan. 17, 1841. He came with his father to this county when a boy of 16, and with exception of a short period when he was in business in Cairo , had been a resident of Mt. Vernon ever since.

At the outbreak of the Civil War Captain S. T. Strattan organized a company to serve in the Federal army. He took his two youngest sons with him, but charged his oldest son with the care of his business affairs during his absence at the front.

The result was that at an early age R. L. Strattan found a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and gained much of the experience, that made him so successful in his business undertakings in later years.

Mr. Strattan was married in May, 1864 to Miss Matilda Wyley, who died a year later and on August 8, 1867

Mr. Strattan married Miss Mary L. Jones who survives him.

Mr. Strattan also leaves three children: Keith T., and Chauncey L. Strattan, now engaged in the hardware and implement business and Mrs. W. W. Swift also of Mt. Vernon. He also leaves a brother, David Strattan and a sister Mrs. A. C. Johnson of this city, a half sister, Mrs. Emma Copeland of Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Strattan has been an almost life-long member of the First Methodist church of this city. Upon the death of his father in 1898 he was elected president of the board of trustees of the church, a position which he has filled ever since.

He was deeply interested in the welfare of this church, and in his death it loses one of its strongest and most devoted members.

Mr. Strattan was also one of the prominent Masons of the city, having been a member of the Chapter and Commandery in this city as well as one of the oldest members of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 31, A. F. and A. M.

Although he held no office at the time of his death Mr. Strattan stood high in Masonic circles and has been very active in the affairs of this fraternity in Mt. Vernon for many years.

Mr. Strattan, although practically his entire life was devoted to the building up of his extensive business in Mt. Vernon , also owned a fine farm just south of Mt. Vernon and in recent years has taken much pleasure in engaging in extensive farming operations.

At the time of his death he was a director in the Ham National bank.

No arrangements for the funeral of Mr. Strattan have been made as yet as it has not been learned when the body will reach Mt. Vernon.

In his death Mt. Vernon loses one of her most substantial business men and a man who has for many years played a prominent part in this city’s commercial, religious and social life.

Source: Mount Vernon Register News
Date: March 24, 1915
Submitted by Brenda Hereford and Nancy E. Davis