from
History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Biographical
NY: The American Historical Society, Inc.
1920
p. 425:
"FARRAND STEWART STRANAHAN -- As head of the firm of Stranahan & Company,
Mr. Stranahan holds notable position in financial circles in Providence,
where he has been in business since 1906, since 1910 operating in stocks
and bonds under the present style. In addition to his own successful
enterprise, which prior to the war maintained offices in Providence, New
York City, Boston, and Worcester, Mr. Stranahan has extensive private
interests, financial and business, and is associated with the social and
civic life of his city in many organizations. His support of progressive
movements for the advancement of Providence is assured, and during the
World War he was a leader in the activities of the government and relief
organizations, his services particularly useful and effective in the five
Liberty Loan drives. Mr. Stranahan, through devoted and high-minded
service, contributed largely to the splendid showing made by his adopted
State in its subscriptions to each issue.
Farrand Stewart Stranahan is the son of Farrand Stewart and Miranda Aldis
(Brainerd) Stranahan, a direct descendant of Roger Williams in maternal
line, and was born in St. Albans, Vt., May 20, 1869. He attended public
and private schools, also Harvard Law School, but after legal preparation
chose a business rather than a professional career, and was first employed
as a clerk in the Walden National Bank of St. Albans, Vt., which had been
an interest in his family for considerable time. After several years in
this employ, he became a salesman for a well-known bond house of New York,
and with a year of successful experience, established, with Joseph Balch, a
New England branch of the firm of O'Connor & Kahler. In 1906, Mr. Balch
and Mr. Stranahan formed a partnership and began independent dealings in
stocks and bonds, their association lasting until 1910, when Mr. Stranahan
continued the businesss alone under the corporate title of Stranahan &
Company. Under Mr. Stranahan's direction the field of the company was so
widened that the establishment of branches in New York, Boston, and
Worcester became necessary, and continued prosperity has resulted from his
wise and careful management. Stranahan & Company, during the nine years of
its existence, has grown into the confidence of a numerous clientele of
high standing, confidence gained and justified by the adherence of Mr.
Stranahan and his associates to the fairest principles of strict business
dealings.
In his private operations Mr. Stranahan has always been interested in
public utilities as a profitable field of investment and he holds official
connection with many such enterprises. In addition to the executive
control of Stranahan & Company, he is president of the Public Light & Power
Company of Tennessee, treasurer of Purity Cross, of Orange, N. J., the
Tennessee Water Company, the Usave Stores Corporation, of Boston, Mass.,
and several others.
While a resident of Vermont, 1898-1900, he was prominent in State military
affairs and served as a member of the staff of Governor E. C. Smith, with
the rank of colonel. He has met the many demands of good citizenship in
his new as in his old home, and served with particular distinction as
chairman of the speakers' bureau for the State of Rhode Island in all of
the Liberty Loan and War Savings Stamps drives. His long financial
experience gave him eminent qualifications for this important post and his
wide acquaintance among men expertly versed in the sale of securities was a
valuable aid in securing the speakers best fitted to present the
government's proposition to the people of the State. Mr. Stranahan is a
member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States,
second class, is vice-president of 'The Players', and his clubs are: the
Harvard, of New York, Providence, and Boston; the Turk's Head, Art, and
Wannamoissett Country, of Providence.
Mr. Stanahan married, June 6, 1894, Florence Gertrude Bruce, of St. Albans,
Vt., and the family home is at No. 133 Hope street, Providence. They have
one son, Farrand Stewart, Jr., a student in Harvard University."
illustration on facing page:
photo, F. S. Stranahan
Transcriber's Note: I've also seen his first name spelled "Ferrand"
from the RI Historical Cemeteries Database Index:
STRANAHAN, FARRAND STEWART 1869 - 30 MAY 1930 PV003
STRANAHAN, FLORENCE (BRUCE*) 1872 - 14 MAR 1926 PV003
STRANAHAN , F. STEWART 1899 - 27 MAR 1958 PV003