Background
He was the son of James S. Strahan (1804–1877) and Emelia Clark Strahan (1807–1880).
He was the son of James S. Strahan (1804–1877) and Emelia Clark Strahan (1807–1880).
He learned the printing trade, and graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania in 1863.
He enlisted as a private and was detailed for service as a clerk in the United States. Department of War. In 1864, he joined his regiment and fought during the Overland Campaign, but soon came down with typhoid pneumonia and was sent back to Washington, District of Columbia to recover. He remained as a clerk in the War Department for the remainder of the war and afterwards.
He studied law at the The Columbian College, District of Columbia, graduated in 1868, was admitted to the bar in 1869, and practiced in Newburgh.
Afterwards he removed to New York City, and practiced law there. He died on October 1, 1884, at his home at 422 West Seventy-First Street, in New York City, of Bright"s disease, and was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newburgh.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Orange Company, 1st Doctorate) in 1871 and 1872. He was again a member of the State Assembly (New York Company, 13th Doctorate) in 1876, 1877 and 1879. And a member of the New York State Senate (8th Doctorate) in 1880 and 1881.