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About Charles Raymond Strain
From Big Timbers Historical Musuem, Lamar, CO: Charles Raymond Strain was educated in public schools near his father's farm in Bloomington IN. He attended Central College at Danville, IN, before taking up teaching as an occupation for one year before moving to Lamar in 1899 to join his uncle Morton in the seed business. Morton Strain withdrew from Strain and Strain in 1900 after which time Cora Ransom Strain and Charles expanded the coal, feed and seed company to become known as Strain Brothers. The expansion began in 1908 with the purchase of the Union Ice and Storage Company. (The company employed about fifty people in 1918.) Then the following year in 1909, they opened Lamar's first swimming pool at Second and Maple Streets. The company further expanded in 1910 to include the La Junta Ice and Cold Storage Company. In 1912 Lamar Alfalfa Milling Company was added. Charles Raymond Strain was also individually engaged in a business establishment at McClave, CO. He owned and operated an alfalfa mill and had in five farming properties. He served as President of the Fort Bent Ditch Company for several years. He served as treasurer of the Arkansas Valley Ditch Association and was president of the Prowers County Soil Conservation District. He was known to be the oldest water director in point of service in the Arkansas Valley. He served as Mayor of Lamar following the election in April 1917 until 1919. During his term of 1918-19, when the influenza epidemic was at its height, Charles was responsible for the organization and development of an emergency hospital. He was county War Food administrator during the First World War and organized and served as the first chairman of the Prowers County American Red Cross. Under the NRA, he represented the Arkansas Valley coal code administration. Her was also on the War Council. He was elected Mayorial alderman in April, 1921 and served until 1923. He served as a director on the Valley State Bank charter Board. In 1924 Strain Brothers entered the bottling business and acquired the franchise to bottle Coca-Cola in 1930. During World War Two, Charles served as president of the Lamar selective service Board, having been appointed in 1940. During both war campaigns he was active in the sale of war bonds. Fraternally, he was connected with the Masonic order in which he attained the chapter degree having been a charter member of Lamar Lodge No. 90 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Orient Chapter No. 32 of the Royal Arch Masons. He was also a member of Orient Council No. 85 and was a member and past Commander of the Mata Commandary No. 32 of the Knights of Templar. He was a member of the Hillcrest Country Club and was a charter member and served as exalted ruler of Benevolent Protective Order of Elks No. 1319. He was also a charter member of Rotary International in Lamar. In addition he belonged to the Lamar Chamber of Commerce having been a charter member and was a member of the Young Men's Business Association. Charles was a 6 state regional director of the Federal Industries Association, National Beverage Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, National Mixed Feed Association. He was a Republican and Presbyterian. He lived at 301 E. Cedar in Lamar with offices at 200 N. Main. He passes away at Sacred Heart Hospital following a short illness. Wood Funeral Home directed the arrangements.
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Charles Raymond Strain's Timeline
| 1878 |
February 11, 1878
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Bloomington, Monroe, Indiana, United States
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| 1903 |
1903
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| 1956 |
July 23, 1956
Age 78
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Lamar, Prowers, Colorado, United States
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| ???? |
Lamar, Prowers, Colorado, United States
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