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STRANAHAN, James Samuel Thomas, capitalist, born in Peterboro, New York, 25 April, 1808. He received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, where he afterward taught, and then studied civil engineering. In 1827 he visited the region of the upper lakes for the purpose of opening trade with the Indians; but, finding this undesirable, he engaged in the wool trade. He became associated in 1832 with Gerrit Smith in developing the manufacturing interests of Oneida county. The town of Florence was the result, and in 1838 he was sent as a Whig to represent that district in the legislature. In 1840 he removed to Newark, New Jersey, and became interested in the construction of railroads, accepting stock in payment for his work. He settled in Brooklyn in 1844, which has since been his home. In 1854 he was sent as a Whig to congress, and served from 3 December, 1855, till 3 March, 1857. Mr. Stranahan was a member of the first Metropolitan police commission in 1858, and delegate to the Republican national conventions in 1860 and 1864, serving as a presidential elector in the latter year. During the civil war he was an active supporter of the National government and president of the war-fund committee. This organization founded the Brooklyn "Union," in order that the government might have an organ devoted to its support. In 1860 he was appointed president of the park commission, and he held that office for more than twenty years. During his administration Prospect park was created, and the system of boulevards, including the Ocean and Eastern parkways, is due to his suggestions. He has long been one of the managers and is now (1888) president of the Union ferry company, and the great Atlantic docks, which are the largest works of the kind in the United States, were built under his direction. Mr. Stranahan is not only the president of the dock company, but also the largest stockholder and general manager of affairs. He was also associated with the building of the East river bridge from the beginning of that work, and was president of the board of directors in 1884.
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