Joseph Rilley Strain was the son of John Simmons Strain and Anna Elizabeth Duke Strain. He married Mary Louise Jones on 21 Jan 1898, in Pottawatomie, Oklahoma. Frank P Strain (James Franklin "Frank" Strain, his brother) and Sarah Ramsey were witnesses, at their marriage.
Known Strain children (all connected below, except 1):
Joseph Rilley, Jr., 5 Dec 1898
Mary Eloise, 9 Sep 1900, (David L Perrin)
Anne Adele, 4 Apr 1905, (Archie B Shore)
Elmer, 14 Apr 1908 (Nellie Florence Dority)
Unknown before 1910 census
On the 1880 De Roan, Hempstead County, Arkansas census, I found carpenter John S Strain, age 45, born Indiana, with his wife Anna E., 45, Virginia; Sons: George, 18, Indiana; James, 15, Indiana; David, 7, Arkansas; Herman, 5, Arkansas and JOSEPH, 2, Arkansas born.
2 Jul 1898 filing of Joseph R Strain, a minor on the Pension file for his father John S Strain, who served in Company I, 63rd Indiana Infantry. It was filed in Oklahoma, application #679.024.
Joseph and Mary's children: Eloise, Adele and Elmer were all born in Mexico and were not found in the 1900 U.S. census.
On the 26 Apr 1910 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma census, I found JOSEPH R Strain, 32, Arkansas born; wife of 12 years, Mary Strain, 33, Texas, had 5 kids, 4 living; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 11, Oklahoma; last 3 born in Mexico: Eloise Strain, 9; Adele Strain, 5 and Elmer Strain, 2. They resided at 1714 E 9th street.
On 22 Mar 1918, Passport application. Similar to the one below. Permanent residence at 1302 Scott Street and states: I left the U.S. on June 25th, 1919, arriving at Saltillo, Coah, Mexico, where he now resides for the purpose of representative, on behalf of H.S. La_t (maybe Lant), Inc., an American Corporation. Bartani Building, Laredo, TX. He resided outside of TX in Velardeña, Durango, Mexico from 1902 - 1907; Santa Barbara, Chih (Chihuahua), Mexico from 1907 to 1909 and Mapimi Durango, Mexico from 1910 - 1914. His Aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley/y swears to knowing nephew Joseph, for his 1918 passport application. She states "she is a resident of Laredo, Texas; that I am now 50 years of age; that Joseph Riley Strain is my nephew and that my said nephew Joseph Riley Strain was born at Hope, Arkansas on the 24th day of Dec, 1878 and that he is the son of John S Strain and Anna Elizabeth Strain..."
12 Sep 1918, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Name: Joseph Rilley Strain Sr.; County: Webb; State: Texas; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Race: White; Roll: 1983775; his nearest relative is Mary Leonie Strain at 1302 Scott St., Laredo, Texas, he was a bookkeeper. He lived at the same address. His father also listed the same address on his WWI draft registration card.
27 Apr 1918, Joseph Rely (sic) Strain crossed the border to from Mexico to Laredo (TX). US Border Crossings from Mexico, FS.
1920- U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925; Name: Joseph Riley Strain; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Birth Place: Hope, Arkansas; Residence: 1302 Scott Street, Laredo, Texas; Passport Issue Date: 30 Mar 1918; Father Name: John S Strain; Father's Birth Location: Crawfordsville, Ind.; Father's Residence: Dead; Passport Includes a Photo: Y; Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925 (M1490). He applied in Webb Co., Texas. He says he resided outside of the U.S. in Monterrey, Mapimi, Santa Barbara in (dates left blank) and in Torreon, Valardena (Mexico) from 1898 to 1915 and his permanent residence is in Laredo, Texas where he works as an accountant. He plans to return to the U.S. in 6 months and plans to visit Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Tampico, Saltillo, Torreon, San Luis Potosi as a Representative of the Torreon Trading Co. and Waters Pierce Oil Company. Description of applicant: 39 years, 5'10", high forehead, light brown eyes, long pointed nose, wears eye glasses, no moustache, square chin, chestnut brown hair, fair complexion, oval face, white scar on right cheek. He signs his name with one L in Rilley. I note he had a 2nd passport application in 1920 with a much darker photo.
On the 1920 Laredo Ward 3, Webb Co., TX census, I found "widow" (sic) and public school teacher, Mrs Mary Strain, 42, TX born; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 21, OK; Eloise M. Strain, 19, Mexico; Adele Strain, 14, Mexico and Elmer Strain, 11, Mexico born. The last 3 immigrated here in 1911, as American citizens, all 3 speaking Spanish.
I did not find Joseph on the 1920 census, suspecting he was in Mexico, at the time of the census.
Joseph R. Strain's Texas Death Certificate, Registered #1033 and 18067, says he died at 304 San Enrique Street, in Laredo, Webb Co. , Texas. He was divorced at the time. Born 24 Dec 1878, died 25 Jun 1921, resided at 1818 Farragut Street. The cause of death was Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the contributory cause was Enterocolitis. He was a bookkeeper and was born in Hope, Arkansas to John S. Strain and Annie E. Duke. The informant was his "son" at above address, but it does not list his name. Place of burial is K of P Cemetery on 26 Jun 1921. The undertaker was N L Jackson of Larado, Texas.
The Laredo Public Library PDF of the graves at this cemetery says he was interred on 25 Jun 1925. The Texas Death Index, 1903 - 2000 says he also died on the same date, certificate #18067.
2-2012, a kind volunteer went out to the cemetery to photograph the gravestone for me and replied: No headstone for Joseph Riley Strain. He is buried there. Blk 15, Space 149. The office only had his death date June 25, 1921 and NO birth record. It is a Paupers grave. No other Strains are there. He seems to be buried with the Knights of Pythias section #111. Note: I contacted the Knights of Pythias, (BM, G.S.) the rosters were checked and his name was not found.
7-2020 the kind volunteer contacted me after locating his marker that says J. R. STRAIN, and is buried beside his aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley and husband Alexander H. Kelley. This does not sound like a pauper's grave to me. They are supposed to be buried in different plots but appear not to be from the photos. All 3 markers are broken off at the base on the ground, only Joseph's was in one piece. Joseph's was upside down in the older photos from 9 Apr 2014 and 7 May 2017 (see Aunt Anna's site).
Click on photos for details. Photo of the two sons of John Simmons Strain and Anna E. Duke. The small photo of a lady between them is unknown as yet, but could possibly be their mother. FWS shared this copy of a copy with me of brothers Herman on left and Joe on right. Undated photo was taken in Laredo, TX.
John's sister, Annie Laurie Strain (D 1938) had married John Turner (first), a railroader, and they took the two younger Strain nephews, Herman and Joe to Laredo, Texas to live with them where the boys grew up.
Bio researched and written by LSP
Known Strain children (all connected below, except 1):
Joseph Rilley, Jr., 5 Dec 1898
Mary Eloise, 9 Sep 1900, (David L Perrin)
Anne Adele, 4 Apr 1905, (Archie B Shore)
Elmer, 14 Apr 1908 (Nellie Florence Dority)
Unknown before 1910 census
On the 1880 De Roan, Hempstead County, Arkansas census, I found carpenter John S Strain, age 45, born Indiana, with his wife Anna E., 45, Virginia; Sons: George, 18, Indiana; James, 15, Indiana; David, 7, Arkansas; Herman, 5, Arkansas and JOSEPH, 2, Arkansas born.
2 Jul 1898 filing of Joseph R Strain, a minor on the Pension file for his father John S Strain, who served in Company I, 63rd Indiana Infantry. It was filed in Oklahoma, application #679.024.
Joseph and Mary's children: Eloise, Adele and Elmer were all born in Mexico and were not found in the 1900 U.S. census.
On the 26 Apr 1910 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma census, I found JOSEPH R Strain, 32, Arkansas born; wife of 12 years, Mary Strain, 33, Texas, had 5 kids, 4 living; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 11, Oklahoma; last 3 born in Mexico: Eloise Strain, 9; Adele Strain, 5 and Elmer Strain, 2. They resided at 1714 E 9th street.
On 22 Mar 1918, Passport application. Similar to the one below. Permanent residence at 1302 Scott Street and states: I left the U.S. on June 25th, 1919, arriving at Saltillo, Coah, Mexico, where he now resides for the purpose of representative, on behalf of H.S. La_t (maybe Lant), Inc., an American Corporation. Bartani Building, Laredo, TX. He resided outside of TX in Velardeña, Durango, Mexico from 1902 - 1907; Santa Barbara, Chih (Chihuahua), Mexico from 1907 to 1909 and Mapimi Durango, Mexico from 1910 - 1914. His Aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley/y swears to knowing nephew Joseph, for his 1918 passport application. She states "she is a resident of Laredo, Texas; that I am now 50 years of age; that Joseph Riley Strain is my nephew and that my said nephew Joseph Riley Strain was born at Hope, Arkansas on the 24th day of Dec, 1878 and that he is the son of John S Strain and Anna Elizabeth Strain..."
12 Sep 1918, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Name: Joseph Rilley Strain Sr.; County: Webb; State: Texas; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Race: White; Roll: 1983775; his nearest relative is Mary Leonie Strain at 1302 Scott St., Laredo, Texas, he was a bookkeeper. He lived at the same address. His father also listed the same address on his WWI draft registration card.
27 Apr 1918, Joseph Rely (sic) Strain crossed the border to from Mexico to Laredo (TX). US Border Crossings from Mexico, FS.
1920- U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925; Name: Joseph Riley Strain; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Birth Place: Hope, Arkansas; Residence: 1302 Scott Street, Laredo, Texas; Passport Issue Date: 30 Mar 1918; Father Name: John S Strain; Father's Birth Location: Crawfordsville, Ind.; Father's Residence: Dead; Passport Includes a Photo: Y; Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925 (M1490). He applied in Webb Co., Texas. He says he resided outside of the U.S. in Monterrey, Mapimi, Santa Barbara in (dates left blank) and in Torreon, Valardena (Mexico) from 1898 to 1915 and his permanent residence is in Laredo, Texas where he works as an accountant. He plans to return to the U.S. in 6 months and plans to visit Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Tampico, Saltillo, Torreon, San Luis Potosi as a Representative of the Torreon Trading Co. and Waters Pierce Oil Company. Description of applicant: 39 years, 5'10", high forehead, light brown eyes, long pointed nose, wears eye glasses, no moustache, square chin, chestnut brown hair, fair complexion, oval face, white scar on right cheek. He signs his name with one L in Rilley. I note he had a 2nd passport application in 1920 with a much darker photo.
On the 1920 Laredo Ward 3, Webb Co., TX census, I found "widow" (sic) and public school teacher, Mrs Mary Strain, 42, TX born; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 21, OK; Eloise M. Strain, 19, Mexico; Adele Strain, 14, Mexico and Elmer Strain, 11, Mexico born. The last 3 immigrated here in 1911, as American citizens, all 3 speaking Spanish.
I did not find Joseph on the 1920 census, suspecting he was in Mexico, at the time of the census.
Joseph R. Strain's Texas Death Certificate, Registered #1033 and 18067, says he died at 304 San Enrique Street, in Laredo, Webb Co. , Texas. He was divorced at the time. Born 24 Dec 1878, died 25 Jun 1921, resided at 1818 Farragut Street. The cause of death was Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the contributory cause was Enterocolitis. He was a bookkeeper and was born in Hope, Arkansas to John S. Strain and Annie E. Duke. The informant was his "son" at above address, but it does not list his name. Place of burial is K of P Cemetery on 26 Jun 1921. The undertaker was N L Jackson of Larado, Texas.
The Laredo Public Library PDF of the graves at this cemetery says he was interred on 25 Jun 1925. The Texas Death Index, 1903 - 2000 says he also died on the same date, certificate #18067.
2-2012, a kind volunteer went out to the cemetery to photograph the gravestone for me and replied: No headstone for Joseph Riley Strain. He is buried there. Blk 15, Space 149. The office only had his death date June 25, 1921 and NO birth record. It is a Paupers grave. No other Strains are there. He seems to be buried with the Knights of Pythias section #111. Note: I contacted the Knights of Pythias, (BM, G.S.) the rosters were checked and his name was not found.
7-2020 the kind volunteer contacted me after locating his marker that says J. R. STRAIN, and is buried beside his aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley and husband Alexander H. Kelley. This does not sound like a pauper's grave to me. They are supposed to be buried in different plots but appear not to be from the photos. All 3 markers are broken off at the base on the ground, only Joseph's was in one piece. Joseph's was upside down in the older photos from 9 Apr 2014 and 7 May 2017 (see Aunt Anna's site).
Click on photos for details. Photo of the two sons of John Simmons Strain and Anna E. Duke. The small photo of a lady between them is unknown as yet, but could possibly be their mother. FWS shared this copy of a copy with me of brothers Herman on left and Joe on right. Undated photo was taken in Laredo, TX.
John's sister, Annie Laurie Strain (D 1938) had married John Turner (first), a railroader, and they took the two younger Strain nephews, Herman and Joe to Laredo, Texas to live with them where the boys grew up.
Bio researched and written by LSP
Joseph Rilley Strain was the son of John Simmons Strain and Anna Elizabeth Duke Strain. He married Mary Louise Jones on 21 Jan 1898, in Pottawatomie, Oklahoma. Frank P Strain (James Franklin "Frank" Strain, his brother) and Sarah Ramsey were witnesses, at their marriage.
Known Strain children (all connected below, except 1):
Joseph Rilley, Jr., 5 Dec 1898
Mary Eloise, 9 Sep 1900, (David L Perrin)
Anne Adele, 4 Apr 1905, (Archie B Shore)
Elmer, 14 Apr 1908 (Nellie Florence Dority)
Unknown before 1910 census
On the 1880 De Roan, Hempstead County, Arkansas census, I found carpenter John S Strain, age 45, born Indiana, with his wife Anna E., 45, Virginia; Sons: George, 18, Indiana; James, 15, Indiana; David, 7, Arkansas; Herman, 5, Arkansas and JOSEPH, 2, Arkansas born.
2 Jul 1898 filing of Joseph R Strain, a minor on the Pension file for his father John S Strain, who served in Company I, 63rd Indiana Infantry. It was filed in Oklahoma, application #679.024.
Joseph and Mary's children: Eloise, Adele and Elmer were all born in Mexico and were not found in the 1900 U.S. census.
On the 26 Apr 1910 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma census, I found JOSEPH R Strain, 32, Arkansas born; wife of 12 years, Mary Strain, 33, Texas, had 5 kids, 4 living; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 11, Oklahoma; last 3 born in Mexico: Eloise Strain, 9; Adele Strain, 5 and Elmer Strain, 2. They resided at 1714 E 9th street.
On 22 Mar 1918, Passport application. Similar to the one below. Permanent residence at 1302 Scott Street and states: I left the U.S. on June 25th, 1919, arriving at Saltillo, Coah, Mexico, where he now resides for the purpose of representative, on behalf of H.S. La_t (maybe Lant), Inc., an American Corporation. Bartani Building, Laredo, TX. He resided outside of TX in Velardeña, Durango, Mexico from 1902 - 1907; Santa Barbara, Chih (Chihuahua), Mexico from 1907 to 1909 and Mapimi Durango, Mexico from 1910 - 1914. His Aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley/y swears to knowing nephew Joseph, for his 1918 passport application. She states "she is a resident of Laredo, Texas; that I am now 50 years of age; that Joseph Riley Strain is my nephew and that my said nephew Joseph Riley Strain was born at Hope, Arkansas on the 24th day of Dec, 1878 and that he is the son of John S Strain and Anna Elizabeth Strain..."
12 Sep 1918, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Name: Joseph Rilley Strain Sr.; County: Webb; State: Texas; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Race: White; Roll: 1983775; his nearest relative is Mary Leonie Strain at 1302 Scott St., Laredo, Texas, he was a bookkeeper. He lived at the same address. His father also listed the same address on his WWI draft registration card.
27 Apr 1918, Joseph Rely (sic) Strain crossed the border to from Mexico to Laredo (TX). US Border Crossings from Mexico, FS.
1920- U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925; Name: Joseph Riley Strain; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Birth Place: Hope, Arkansas; Residence: 1302 Scott Street, Laredo, Texas; Passport Issue Date: 30 Mar 1918; Father Name: John S Strain; Father's Birth Location: Crawfordsville, Ind.; Father's Residence: Dead; Passport Includes a Photo: Y; Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925 (M1490). He applied in Webb Co., Texas. He says he resided outside of the U.S. in Monterrey, Mapimi, Santa Barbara in (dates left blank) and in Torreon, Valardena (Mexico) from 1898 to 1915 and his permanent residence is in Laredo, Texas where he works as an accountant. He plans to return to the U.S. in 6 months and plans to visit Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Tampico, Saltillo, Torreon, San Luis Potosi as a Representative of the Torreon Trading Co. and Waters Pierce Oil Company. Description of applicant: 39 years, 5'10", high forehead, light brown eyes, long pointed nose, wears eye glasses, no moustache, square chin, chestnut brown hair, fair complexion, oval face, white scar on right cheek. He signs his name with one L in Rilley. I note he had a 2nd passport application in 1920 with a much darker photo.
On the 1920 Laredo Ward 3, Webb Co., TX census, I found "widow" (sic) and public school teacher, Mrs Mary Strain, 42, TX born; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 21, OK; Eloise M. Strain, 19, Mexico; Adele Strain, 14, Mexico and Elmer Strain, 11, Mexico born. The last 3 immigrated here in 1911, as American citizens, all 3 speaking Spanish.
I did not find Joseph on the 1920 census, suspecting he was in Mexico, at the time of the census.
Joseph R. Strain's Texas Death Certificate, Registered #1033 and 18067, says he died at 304 San Enrique Street, in Laredo, Webb Co. , Texas. He was divorced at the time. Born 24 Dec 1878, died 25 Jun 1921, resided at 1818 Farragut Street. The cause of death was Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the contributory cause was Enterocolitis. He was a bookkeeper and was born in Hope, Arkansas to John S. Strain and Annie E. Duke. The informant was his "son" at above address, but it does not list his name. Place of burial is K of P Cemetery on 26 Jun 1921. The undertaker was N L Jackson of Larado, Texas.
The Laredo Public Library PDF of the graves at this cemetery says he was interred on 25 Jun 1925. The Texas Death Index, 1903 - 2000 says he also died on the same date, certificate #18067.
2-2012, a kind volunteer went out to the cemetery to photograph the gravestone for me and replied: No headstone for Joseph Riley Strain. He is buried there. Blk 15, Space 149. The office only had his death date June 25, 1921 and NO birth record. It is a Paupers grave. No other Strains are there. He seems to be buried with the Knights of Pythias section #111. Note: I contacted the Knights of Pythias, (BM, G.S.) the rosters were checked and his name was not found.
7-2020 the kind volunteer contacted me after locating his marker that says J. R. STRAIN, and is buried beside his aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley and husband Alexander H. Kelley. This does not sound like a pauper's grave to me. They are supposed to be buried in different plots but appear not to be from the photos. All 3 markers are broken off at the base on the ground, only Joseph's was in one piece. Joseph's was upside down in the older photos from 9 Apr 2014 and 7 May 2017 (see Aunt Anna's site).
Click on photos for details. Photo of the two sons of John Simmons Strain and Anna E. Duke. The small photo of a lady between them is unknown as yet, but could possibly be their mother. FWS shared this copy of a copy with me of brothers Herman on left and Joe on right. Undated photo was taken in Laredo, TX.
John's sister, Annie Laurie Strain (D 1938) had married John Turner (first), a railroader, and they took the two younger Strain nephews, Herman and Joe to Laredo, Texas to live with them where the boys grew up.
Bio researched and written by LSP
Known Strain children (all connected below, except 1):
Joseph Rilley, Jr., 5 Dec 1898
Mary Eloise, 9 Sep 1900, (David L Perrin)
Anne Adele, 4 Apr 1905, (Archie B Shore)
Elmer, 14 Apr 1908 (Nellie Florence Dority)
Unknown before 1910 census
On the 1880 De Roan, Hempstead County, Arkansas census, I found carpenter John S Strain, age 45, born Indiana, with his wife Anna E., 45, Virginia; Sons: George, 18, Indiana; James, 15, Indiana; David, 7, Arkansas; Herman, 5, Arkansas and JOSEPH, 2, Arkansas born.
2 Jul 1898 filing of Joseph R Strain, a minor on the Pension file for his father John S Strain, who served in Company I, 63rd Indiana Infantry. It was filed in Oklahoma, application #679.024.
Joseph and Mary's children: Eloise, Adele and Elmer were all born in Mexico and were not found in the 1900 U.S. census.
On the 26 Apr 1910 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma census, I found JOSEPH R Strain, 32, Arkansas born; wife of 12 years, Mary Strain, 33, Texas, had 5 kids, 4 living; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 11, Oklahoma; last 3 born in Mexico: Eloise Strain, 9; Adele Strain, 5 and Elmer Strain, 2. They resided at 1714 E 9th street.
On 22 Mar 1918, Passport application. Similar to the one below. Permanent residence at 1302 Scott Street and states: I left the U.S. on June 25th, 1919, arriving at Saltillo, Coah, Mexico, where he now resides for the purpose of representative, on behalf of H.S. La_t (maybe Lant), Inc., an American Corporation. Bartani Building, Laredo, TX. He resided outside of TX in Velardeña, Durango, Mexico from 1902 - 1907; Santa Barbara, Chih (Chihuahua), Mexico from 1907 to 1909 and Mapimi Durango, Mexico from 1910 - 1914. His Aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley/y swears to knowing nephew Joseph, for his 1918 passport application. She states "she is a resident of Laredo, Texas; that I am now 50 years of age; that Joseph Riley Strain is my nephew and that my said nephew Joseph Riley Strain was born at Hope, Arkansas on the 24th day of Dec, 1878 and that he is the son of John S Strain and Anna Elizabeth Strain..."
12 Sep 1918, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Name: Joseph Rilley Strain Sr.; County: Webb; State: Texas; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Race: White; Roll: 1983775; his nearest relative is Mary Leonie Strain at 1302 Scott St., Laredo, Texas, he was a bookkeeper. He lived at the same address. His father also listed the same address on his WWI draft registration card.
27 Apr 1918, Joseph Rely (sic) Strain crossed the border to from Mexico to Laredo (TX). US Border Crossings from Mexico, FS.
1920- U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925; Name: Joseph Riley Strain; Birth Date: 24 Dec 1878; Birth Place: Hope, Arkansas; Residence: 1302 Scott Street, Laredo, Texas; Passport Issue Date: 30 Mar 1918; Father Name: John S Strain; Father's Birth Location: Crawfordsville, Ind.; Father's Residence: Dead; Passport Includes a Photo: Y; Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925 (M1490). He applied in Webb Co., Texas. He says he resided outside of the U.S. in Monterrey, Mapimi, Santa Barbara in (dates left blank) and in Torreon, Valardena (Mexico) from 1898 to 1915 and his permanent residence is in Laredo, Texas where he works as an accountant. He plans to return to the U.S. in 6 months and plans to visit Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Tampico, Saltillo, Torreon, San Luis Potosi as a Representative of the Torreon Trading Co. and Waters Pierce Oil Company. Description of applicant: 39 years, 5'10", high forehead, light brown eyes, long pointed nose, wears eye glasses, no moustache, square chin, chestnut brown hair, fair complexion, oval face, white scar on right cheek. He signs his name with one L in Rilley. I note he had a 2nd passport application in 1920 with a much darker photo.
On the 1920 Laredo Ward 3, Webb Co., TX census, I found "widow" (sic) and public school teacher, Mrs Mary Strain, 42, TX born; sons or daughters: Joseph R Strain, 21, OK; Eloise M. Strain, 19, Mexico; Adele Strain, 14, Mexico and Elmer Strain, 11, Mexico born. The last 3 immigrated here in 1911, as American citizens, all 3 speaking Spanish.
I did not find Joseph on the 1920 census, suspecting he was in Mexico, at the time of the census.
Joseph R. Strain's Texas Death Certificate, Registered #1033 and 18067, says he died at 304 San Enrique Street, in Laredo, Webb Co. , Texas. He was divorced at the time. Born 24 Dec 1878, died 25 Jun 1921, resided at 1818 Farragut Street. The cause of death was Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the contributory cause was Enterocolitis. He was a bookkeeper and was born in Hope, Arkansas to John S. Strain and Annie E. Duke. The informant was his "son" at above address, but it does not list his name. Place of burial is K of P Cemetery on 26 Jun 1921. The undertaker was N L Jackson of Larado, Texas.
The Laredo Public Library PDF of the graves at this cemetery says he was interred on 25 Jun 1925. The Texas Death Index, 1903 - 2000 says he also died on the same date, certificate #18067.
2-2012, a kind volunteer went out to the cemetery to photograph the gravestone for me and replied: No headstone for Joseph Riley Strain. He is buried there. Blk 15, Space 149. The office only had his death date June 25, 1921 and NO birth record. It is a Paupers grave. No other Strains are there. He seems to be buried with the Knights of Pythias section #111. Note: I contacted the Knights of Pythias, (BM, G.S.) the rosters were checked and his name was not found.
7-2020 the kind volunteer contacted me after locating his marker that says J. R. STRAIN, and is buried beside his aunt Anna Laura Strain Kelley and husband Alexander H. Kelley. This does not sound like a pauper's grave to me. They are supposed to be buried in different plots but appear not to be from the photos. All 3 markers are broken off at the base on the ground, only Joseph's was in one piece. Joseph's was upside down in the older photos from 9 Apr 2014 and 7 May 2017 (see Aunt Anna's site).
Click on photos for details. Photo of the two sons of John Simmons Strain and Anna E. Duke. The small photo of a lady between them is unknown as yet, but could possibly be their mother. FWS shared this copy of a copy with me of brothers Herman on left and Joe on right. Undated photo was taken in Laredo, TX.
John's sister, Annie Laurie Strain (D 1938) had married John Turner (first), a railroader, and they took the two younger Strain nephews, Herman and Joe to Laredo, Texas to live with them where the boys grew up.
Bio researched and written by LSP
Bio by: LSP
Inscription
J. R. STRAIN
Gravesite Details
His marker was broken at the base and flat on the ground in the 16 Jul 2020 posted photo. It was beside his aunt Anna's marker.
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