Eugene Clifford Stratton, manager of the Troy Milk & Butter Company, was born in Lost Creek township, Miami county, Ohio, December 25, 1873, a son of John Riley and Jane Ann (Walker) Stratton. John R. Stratton was a progressive agriculturist of Miami county, and to him and his wife were born: Eugene Clifford, the subject of this review; Curtis Walker, operating a large ranch in western Montana; Susan Viola, a telephone operator. Eugene C. Stratton received his preliminary education in the country schools of this locality, but desiring a higher education, took two courses of instruction at the normal university at Ada, Ohio. After leaving school, he worked on his father's farm until he became of age, and then, having a preference for the school room, he taught school in Staunton township for two years. At that time he took up the management of the twenty-eight farms of the Hayner estate, in which position he continued for twenty-one years during which time he became known as one of the most progressive and far-seeing men of the county. In June, 1919, he resigned from this position to enter business for himself, and is now manager and majority stock holder of the Troy Milk & Butter Company, one of the substantial enterprises of the community. In addition to his interests in this concern, Mr. Stratton operates four fine farms, and serves as a director in the First National Bank, of Troy, the Troy Grain & Supply Company, the Troy Masonic Temple Company, the Ohio Association of Creamery Managers and Owners, the Miami County Farm Bureau, in all of which his advice is eagerly sought by his associates. Mr. Stratton's first wife was Alma Pearl, daughter of William Guen, of Miami county, and to this union were born: Eugene, deceased; Riley and Ruth, attending high school; Roy, deceased; Harvey, at school; and Robert, an infant. For his second wife Mr. Stratton married Nina, daughter of Thomas Dalzell, a resident of Troy. Fraternally Mr. Stratton belongs to the Masonic order, and in the recent war was a generous contributor to all Government war drives. He is a Republican and served two years as infirmary director. He is a member of the Christian church.