The Strahl papers consist of some incoming correspondence, between 1860 and 1909, to Osborn Strahl and his wife Rebecca, and miscellaneous family papers. The Correspondence is primarily concerns family matters. Some of the letters, however, contain information of interest to the genealogist and the historian. Included is a letter from S.R. Gumm [or Gum], a friend of Strahl's, December 7, 1892, which contains a description of agricultural life in the Los Angeles, California area, the training of horses, and a commentary on prohibition. Scattered letters from the Strahls' relatives in the state of Washington give comments on early twentieth century life in that area. A letter, June 7, 1909, to Rebecca from her brother, M. MacDonald, tells of Seattle's harbor life. As most of the letters are primarily informational about family matters and family members, the Strahl family genealogy is well explained within the correspondence. For example, a letter from Strahl's cousin, Emily Todd Byre, of Springdale, Iowa, February 14, 1895, gives a full account of family history.
In addition, for June, August, and September, 1863, there is correspondence referring to the settlement of claims arising out of the wars between the United States and the Native American tribes in the Oregon and Washington territories.
Included in the Miscellaneous Family Papers are reminiscences by Osborn Strahl of early settlers of Pierce County, Wisconsin; land certificates (1854); financial records; obituaries; a few photographs; and other family papers. The reminiscences are undated and were rewritten and condensed by Mabel Strahl Smith. They concern Charles Cox, A.P. Manning, and Smith R. Gunn, among others. Some of the family papers consist of essays, speeches, and school and class notes, circa 1845-1849, for Salem and Mt. Pleasant [Illinois?] schools. Included are essays on “Liberty,” “On the Pleasures of Horse-Back Riding,” an address delivered to their teacher (April 1846), and similar topics. Many of these papers are signed by Phillip or Sarah Lee Strahl. Also included is a land indenture for property near Zanesville, Ohio (January 23, 1824). There are also several unsigned, undated, and unidentified materials in this collection. All, however, relate to school and educational experiences of various members of the Strahl family.
