Reverend Thomas M. Strain and Mary “Polly” (LaGrange) Strain were some of the first landowners in the Fort Branch area. In fact, Fort Branch was originally called LaGrange because of Mrs. Strain’s parents. The town was later called Fort Branch since there was already a LaGrange, Indiana.
Rev. and Mrs. Strain had six children, and the entire family became prominent figures in the development of Gibson County. They were: Louisa (Genung), Lucinda (Sands) Albert, Sylvester, Andrew, and George.
Reverend Strain was a Baptist minister, merchant, and Postmaster in the Fort Branch area. He built the first house of “sawed” lumber in Fort Branch in 1853. An addition was later added to the home. In 1929, the house was damaged by fire, but the original framework mostly remains in tact today at 105 West Strain Street.
Left: Rev. Thomas M. Strain Right: Mary “Polly” (LaGrange) Strain
Bottom: The Strain House
**All information and photos came from “The Fort on a Branch” by John V. DeLong, Jr. (You can view this book at Fort Branch Public Library as part of our local history collection.)