“Racine pioneer”

Began education at Amherst College (1830-1832); transferred in Sept 1882 to Union College, following his family to Troy, NY. Did not graduate, but studied law and was admitted to the bar. Arrived in Racine on June 2, 1836 via the Great Lakes route on the steamboat “Pennsylvania”. From that day forth to the day of his death he was closely and continuously identified with the interests of the community...

Although Gilbert Knapp, the founder of Racine, staked out his claim comprising the original plat of the city in November, 1834, settlement did not begin until the spring of 1835. During this year half a dozen frame buildings and a few log houses were erected. …it was therefore an undeveloped, pioneer settlement to which young Strong came. He was the first lawyer in Racine County, and there were few in the state who preceded him. Soon after hos arrival he open a general store with Stephen N. Ives.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Strong