Michael was born as the 7th of the 9 known children of Elizabeth (Bush) Strader and Christopher Strader. He was born in Hampshire County, Virginia ( now West Virginia ). Michael came with his parents from Virginia to Ross County, Ohio in 1806.

His Father Christopher Strader Sr. # 21854414 is buried in the Strader Hill Cemetery, Ross County, Ohio. His brother Christopher Strader Jr. is also buried in this cemetery. Headstones for each have not been located as of this writing. Although not recorded on Find a Grave as of this writing, Michael's Mother Elizabeth (Hyer/Heir Bush) Strader is also buried in this cemetery according to Family records.

Christopher Sr. gave 215 acres of Ross County land to each son that moved to Ohio. Michael went on to purchase additional acreage to where he owned a total of 514 acres in Ross County and he began farming. With the help of his brother Christopher Jr., the two of them set up a Grist Mill in Austin, Ross County, Ohio and they began grinding grain for the farmers in the vicinity.

Ross County, Ohio Marriage Records
Page 194 :
Elizabeth Wise Michael Strader March 21, 1807

On March 21, 1807 in Ross County, Ohio, he married Miss Elizabeth Wise, daughter of Catherine and Sebastian Wise of Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

To this union were born 15 children :
Mary Ann b.1808
Clora b.1809
Sallie b.1810
Phoebe b.1812
Elizabeth b.1814
John b.1817
Simeon b.1819
Lucinda b.1821
Jacob b.1823
Rebecca b.1825
Ausey b.1826
Mahaley b.1828
Julie b.1832
Michael Jr. b.1834
Daniel b.1836

Michael had a brief service in the War of 1812. He is listed in Captain Mallon's Roster from July 28, 1813 to August 16, 1813. Ohio men were recruited for volunteering services as there was concern that the British would establish a stronghold in the vicinty of Detroit, Michigan.

U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812-1815
Name: Michael Strader
Company: 1 REG'T (MCDONALD'S), OHIO MILITIA.
Rank - Induction: PRIVATE
Rank - Discharge: PRIVATE
Roll Box: 201
Microfilm Publication: M602

Ohio Census, 1790-1890
Name: Michael Strader
State: OH
County: Ross County
Township: Concord Township
Year: 1816
Record Type: Tax List
Page: 074
Database: OH Early Census Index

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Michael Strader
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Concord, Ross, Ohio
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 10

Elizabeth must have died about the summer of 1837, as Michael married Catherine Durflinger on September 13, 1837 in Ross County, Ohio.

To this union were born three children :
Reuben b.1838
Martha b.1839
Mary b.1841

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Michael Strades [Michael Strader]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Concord, Ross, Ohio
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8

Sometime after 1841 and probably before 1846, when he sold the last of his property in Ohio, Michael Strader moved 400 miles west to McDonough County, Illinois.

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Micheal Strodder (Strader)
Age: 65
Birth Year: abt 1785
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: McDonough, Illinois
Gender: Male
Family Number: 866
Household Members: Name Age
Micheal Strodder 65
Catherine Strodder 49
John Strodder 33
Micheal Strodder 16
Daniel Strodder 14
Rebecca Strodder 13
Martha J Strodder 11
Mary E Strodder 9
Caroline Strodder 22
Martha A Strodder 0

U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907
Name: Michael Strader
Issue Date: 1 Aug 1851
Acres: 40
Meridian: 4th PM - 1815 Illinois
State: Illinois
County: McDonough
Township: 5-N
Range: 3-W
Section: 32
Accession Number: IL4220__.318
Metes and Bounds: No
Land Office: Quincy
Canceled: No
US Reservations: No
Mineral Reservations: No
Authority: April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566)
Document Number: 18502

Michael had a total of 18 known children. All six of his sons survived childhood and eventually married (John, Simeon, Jacob, Michael, Daniel and Reuben). Six of his 12 daughters are known to have married (Mary Ann, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Lavina, Martha Jane, and Mary Ellen). Two daughters died young (Ausey & Mahaley). Some or all of the other four daughters may have died young also (Chlora, Sallie, Rebecca and Julia).

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Michael Strader
Age in 1860: 74
Birth Year: abt 1786
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Chalmers, McDonough, Illinois
Gender: Male
Post Office: Middletown
Household Members: Name Age
Michael Strader 74
Catharine Strader 58
Reuben H Strader 22
Martha Strader 20
Mary E Strader 19

In March 1862, at the age of 77 years 1 month, Michael Strader passed away. His Headstone has the inscription of 77 years 1 month on it. Michael is buried in the North East Section of the Gibson Cemetery. He is buried alongside several other family members.