Fayetteville Observer, (Fayetteville, NC) Thursday, August 27, 1885; Issue 133; col. D

	Died near Montevallo, Alabama, August 19th in the 89th year of his age. John McKay Strong, formerly a resident of this town. 
He was buried by the Masonic fraternity of Selma.
The subject of this notice was the son of Peter Strong, a watchmaker and jeweler who lived at Fayetteville, North Carolina. His 
mother was Mary McKay, from whom was transmitted the McKay part of his name. He was born the 12th of August, 1796. His education 
was confined to country schools until he entered the Fayetteville Academy where he prosecuted his studies with great assiduity, 
receiving the degrees of A.M. at that institution. His qualifications and general character recommended him, and the succeeding 
year after his graduation was selected to take charge of the Methodist academy in his native town, where he remained until he was 
called to take charge of a chair among the instructors in his Alma Mater, which position he held for two years, when he accepted 
the appointment of deputy marshal from Gen. Beverly Daniel, then United States marshal, which office he held for two years. 
	The year 1836 he removed to Linden, in this State, he went into business, but was unfortunate. He came to Selma in 1839, was 
elected to office of justice o peace in 1841 and held that office by the sufferages of his fellow citizens twenty-four years. He 
was postmaster sixteen years.
	Major Strong was Selma's first mayor. He was elected in May 1852, and as conclusive evidence of his fellow citizens' appreciation 
of his worth, he filled this honorable office six years in succession. Afterwards he was elected city clerk for twelve years.
On the 29th of August, 1865, he was appointed postmaster again by President Johnson, but declined the appointment.
	The above indicates that this modest, good man's character always placed him at the front, and that hie many virtues were appreciated 
in a marked degree by his fellow citizens. Every station he filled with unusual satisfaction. His public life was more than paralleled 
by his Masonic life. Always zealous in precept and example, in his duties to the craft and from the time he was made a Master Mason in 
1824, in Phoenix Lodge, No. 8 Fayetteville, NC, until his death, his affectionate feeling for the fraternity was extraordinary. 
	Shortly after coming to Selma he was elected worshipful master of Selma Fraternal Lodge, N. 27, and presided over this lodge with 
justice and moderation for sixteen years. His motto expressed in private conversation with regard to life was "honesty and punctuality."
His tender heart always met in sympathy the widow's tears and the orphan's cry. Many a grey haired sire has wept at his appeals for succor 
for out dependant and suffering ones.
	Our present court house is a standing memento of his citizenship. His heart went out to educate the orphans of the masons and others, 
and never did he cease the effort until he consummated for the then little town of Selma the Masonic Institute, under his guidance and 
hand at that time the peer of any educational institution in the State. His Christian character was unobtrusive, but firm and pure.  
Jno. A. McKinnon

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