MICHAEL J. STRONG

The following bio was taken from page 400 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 The Strongs were early residents of Rusk County, having settled in the Church Hill Community in the early 1840’s.

 Michael James Strong is the fifth generation of this family.  Born December 18, 1942 in Henderson.  Michael is the second son of Mack Edd Strong (1905-) and Faires McRae (1912-1977).  Mack Edd was a farmer and cattleman and served as County Road Superintendent for twelve years.  Faires, daughter of Jim McRae of Tatum, served in the County Tax Collector’s Office for twenty years.

 Michael and his brother, Max Clayborn, were reared on the farm in Church Hill and first attended school there.  The Church Hill School later consolidated with the Henderson Public Schools from which Mike graduated in 1960.

 After attending Kilgore College, working for two local utility companies, and working for the State of Texas in enforcing laws on cattle regulations, Michael began his own farming and cattle operations in 1970. 

In August, 1972, Michael married Bonnie Majors, daughter of Odis and Sue Majors of Panola County, Texas.

 Mike, Bonnie, and her daughter, Paula Margaret, born February 8, 1967, lived in Henderson for a short time while their home was being built on an old home site behind the Strong Cemetery.

Michael began serving Rusk County as a deputy sheriff in 1972 and was named Chief Deputy in 1973.  Bonnie was employed by Texas Eastman Company, Longview, until the birth of their son, Matthew Jarrod, on May 29, 1979.

 In January, 1981, Michael was sworn in as Sheriff of Rusk County after defeating candidates in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.  As of this writing, he is serving his second year of a four-year term while still maintaining his farming operations.  The Strong farm produces corn, maize, and hay, which are harvested and processed on the farm for feed for their cattle.  The farm also produces fruits and vegetables for the family’s use. 

The Strongs hope to maintain the wholesome farming, ranching, and home atmosphere for their children to pass on to future generations.

 Submitted by Bonnie Strong