John W. Stratton is the son of John Stratton (b. 1821, Ireland; d. or abandoned family c. 1857, prob. Frontenac Co., Ontario, Canada) and Harriett Smith (b. 19 Jul 1830 in Frontenac, Ontario, Canada; d. 21 Nov 1916, Baraga Village, Baraga, MI USA).

DOCUMENTED TIMELINE:

1861 CANADA CENSUS: Storrington, Frontenac Co., Ontario, Canada, age 9, b. 1852; with stepfather James Van Valkanburg (b. 1826, age 35); mother Harriet (b. 1831, 30); sister Elizabeth Stratton (b. 1854, 7); and brother William Stratton, b. 1855, 6). All b. Upper Canada (Ontario); E(piscopal) Methodist.

c. 1878: Marriage to UNKNOWN. Either two or three children: JAMES STRATTON (b. ? Canada, possible twin to John); JOHN STRATTON (b. about 1880 Canada); WILFORD M. STRATTON (b. 31 Jan 1879, MI; d. 14 Feb 1883, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, MI).

NOTE: Michigan Death record states Wilford's mother is Jane, but this would have been 15 mos. before her marriage to John, so this needs to be researched more.

20 May 1880 MARRIAGE: In Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, MI USA to JANE (GRAHAM) KITSON. Shows occupation as stonemason. Either four or five children born to them: twins NELLIE HARRIETT (LILLIAN) STRATTON (1881-1958, m. WILLIAM HENRY HART); WILLIAM ALBERT STRATTON (1881-after 1916, m. MARTHA WHITEHEAD); JOHN ERNST STRATTON (1883-1884, d. 9 mos. old); MAUD STRATTON (1885, born one month after father John's death-d.?). WILFORD M. STRATTON lists Jane as his mother, but his 1879 birthdate is 15 mos. prior to John & Jane's marriage, so the unknown first wife is likely Wilford's birth mother.

01 Jun 1880 US CENSUS: Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. John Stratton 28 (b. 1852, Canada; both parents b. Canada); Jane 22 (b. 1858, Canada; parents both b. Ireland); James b. ? (ink blot), Canada; John (b. 1880, 4 mos.). John occup: "works on farm."

1878-80? Birth of son James (or possible twin of John)

1879 (Jan) Birth of son Wilford M.

1880 (Feb) Birth of son John

1881 (May) Birth of twins William & Nellie H. (Lillian)

1883 (Feb) Death of son Wilford (age 4 yrs. 0 mos. 14 dys)

1883 (Sep) Birth of son John Ernst

1884 (Jul) Death of son John Ernst (age 9 mos. 17 dys)

1885 (Aug) Birth of dau. Maud (1 mo. after John's death)

1885 (15 Jul) Michigan Death, Fourth Ward, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, MI USA. Death record indicates he was married; died of consumption, 35 yrs, 2 mos., 16 dys. Father: John Stratton, Mother: H. Stratton, both b. Canada

Burial location unknown; presumably in Ann Arbor since he died there, in the 4th Ward. Not in Forest Hill Cemetery or Fairview Cemetery; am trying others.
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Biography courtesy 05.28.2012 {revised 09.16.2013} by Debra Hart Blackgrave Tyre, 2nd great-granddaughter.

Comments/updates welcome. Please retain original credits on biography/timeline as well as photographs, if copied. Thank you.