F. Stewart Stranahan

Farrand Stewart Stranahan (February 2, 1842 - July 13, 1904) was an American Civil War veteran, a railroad executive, a banker, and a U.S. politician of the Republican Party.

Early life

Farrand Stewart Stranaham, the third generation to bear that name, was born in New York City, the son of Frarrand Stewart and Caroline (Curtis) Stranahan. In 1859, at the age of 17, he moved to Vermont.

Civil War

Stranahan enlisted August 15, 1862, and mustered in as 1st Sergenat, Company L, 1st Vermont Cavalry on September 29, 1862. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on January 18, 1864, to rank from January 5, and 1st lieutenant on May 5, 1864, to rank from February 28. For several months he was aide-de-camp to General George A. Custer. He resigned from the service on August 28, 1864.

1st Sergeant Stranaham, listed as a key member of the 1st Vermont Cavalry who participated in Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth's charge at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, is depicted on the bronze bas relief of the charge on the William Wells Monument between Big Round Top and Bushman's Hill. [Custer, Andie, "The Wells Monument: Bas Relief of Farnsworth's Charge," "Blue & Gray," Spring 2006, 23:i, p. 56.]

On the afternoon of October 19, 1864, then northern-most land event of the Civil War occurred, the St. Albans Raid. Stranahan participated in the pursuit of the fleeing Confederates after they had robbed several banks and wounded two citizens, one mortally. [Hoffman, Elliott W., editor, "History of the First Vermont Cavalry Volunteers in the War of the Great Rebellion," Baltimore, MD: Butternut & Blue, 2000, pp. 229-230.]

Postwar life

Stranahan became paymaster on the Vermont Central Railroad in 1865. Between 1867 and 1871, he conducted business in St. Albans, and in 1871 was appointed treasurer of the National Car Company, a position he held until at least 1903. In 1886 he becamse cashier of the Welden National Bank of St. Albans, and was appointed its vice president in 1892. He was also a director of the Central Vermont Railroad, vice president of the Missisquoi raiload, an officer in the National Dspatch Line, and vice president of the St. Albans Messenger Company.

Stranahan's fraternal associations include the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Stanahan was a Republican in politics and as a representative of that party served as trustee of the village of St. Albans and represented the town in 1884. Four years later he was elected to the state senate, and was trustee of the state reform school from 1888 to 1892.In 1892 he was elected lieutenant governor of the state of Vermont.

On August 26, 1862, Mr. Stranahan was married to Miss Miranda Aldis, daughter of Hon. Lawrence Brainerd and Fidelia Gadcomb.

ee also

* Vermont in the Civil War

References

* Carleton, Hiram, "Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont," New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903, i:306-307.

* Custer, Andie, "The Wells Monument: Bas Relief of Farnsworth's Charge," "Blue & Gray," Spring 2006, 23:i, p. 56.

* Hoffman, Elliott W., editor, "History of the First Vermont Cavalry Volunteers in the War of the Great Rebellion," Baltimore, MD: Butternut & Blue, 2000.

* Jackson, Horatio Nelson. Dedication of the statue to Brevet Major-General William Wells and the officers and men of the First Regiment Vermont Cavalry, on the battlefield of Gettysburg, July 3, 1913, privately printed, 1914, p. 45.

* Peck, Theodore S., compiler, "Revised Roster of Vermont Volunteers and lists of Vermonters Who Served in the Army and Navy of the United States During the War of the Rebellion, 1861-66. Montpelier, VT.: Press of the Watchman Publishing Co., 1892, p. 260.

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