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Dr. George W. Strait |
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Dr. George W. Strait |
Dr. Strait received a common-school education; when at fifteen years of age, passing a rigid examination by the, superintending committee, he was licensed to teach, and taught district schools with success for six years.
At twenty he entered the office of Dr. Matthew Turck, at East Nassau, studying his profession; thence with Dr. Shipman, in Onondaga Co., N. Y.; thence he entered the Berkshire Medical College, connected with Williams College, where he was graduated on the 3d of December, 1834.
Dr. Strait, after leaving college, commenced the practice of medicine at Clinton, Dutchess Co., N. Y., remaining three years; then he removed to Philadelphia, residing there one year. He then located in New York City, where he practiced successfully for four years. His health giving way in consequence of hard work and the climate, he was obliged to remove, and located at East Nassau, in 1841. There he has since continued in practice with marked success, having a ride in the towns of Rensselaer and Columbia Counties. From his large experience and practice he is called in frequent consultations with the ablest and most extensive practitioners in the two counties named. He was four years a justice of the peace, and such was his fairness and sound judgment that no decision of his was ever appealed to the higher courts. Although repeatedly offered, he ever declined further official positions, feeling it the highest honor to give his whole time to his laborious and delicate profession.
Dr. Strait was married May 11, 1834, to Miss Mary Harris, at Stephentown, having by her two daughters, — Hannah Elizabeth and Mary Jane. — both of whom married, and the former died. Mrs. Dr. Strait died Jan. 22, 1845. Dr. Strait was again married April 16, 1846, to Miss Emily Cole, at New Lebanon. From this marriage there were four children, — three sons and one daughter, the daughter dying at nine years of age, — and Mrs. Emily Strait died May 2, 1855.
Alfred, the eldest son, is a mechanic; Lorenzo, the second son, is a farmer, and has been justice of the peace for several years. He enlisted, when but a boy, in the volunteers in 1865, near the close of the war. The war terminating, he enlisted in the United States army, and served three years, mainly on the Texas and Indian frontiers, when he was honorably discharged. George W., Jr., the third son, is a farmer. They have all been married, and are residents of Nassau, where they are respected as good citizens.
DR. GEORGE W. STRAIT was born at Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., April 7, 1811. Dr. Strait's father was Shadrach Strait, a native of Rhode Island, and where also his grandfather, Samuel was born (and was a school-fellow with Gen. Nathaniel Greene), and served in the Revolutionary war, so that the doctor is descended from good, patriotic New England stock.
