Caroline Tracey was the first child born to John S. and Caroline Matilda Tracey. She was born on June 20, 1828 in Platt County, Ohio.

The John S. Tracey family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan sometime between 1830 and 1838. The family then moved to McDonough County, Illinois sometime between 1840 and 1848.

Caroline met and then later married John Strader on March 08, 1849.

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Caroline Tracey
Gender: Female
Birth Place: OH
Birth Year: 1828
Spouse Name: John Strader
Spouse Birth Year: 1817
Marriage Year: 1849
Number Pages: 1

Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860
Name: Caroline Tracy
Spouse: John Strader
Date: 7 Mar 1849
County: McDonough
State: Illinois
Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT
Microfilm: 1320670 item 8

To this union were born 7 children :
Matilda Ann Strader
Elizabeth Catherine Strader
Margaret Jane Strader
John McCoy Strader
Ida Lovina Strader
Mary Elda Strader
William Simeon Strader

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Caroline Strader
Age in 1860: 30
Birth Year: abt 1830
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1860: Chalmers, McDonough, Illinois
Gender: Female
Post Office: Middletown
Household Members: Name Age
John Strader 43
Caroline Strader 30
Matilda Strader 10
Elizabeth Strader 9
Margaret Strader 6
John M Strader 5
Lavina A Strader 3
Mary E Strader 1

In 1863 her husband John Strader, went to join the Idaho Gold Rush.

Later that year, word was received that he had been killed by Indians.

His death left Caroline with all 7 children still at home. The oldest child was 13 and the youngest was just over 1 year old.

She raised all of the children by herself and maintained the family farm after John's death.

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Caroline Strader
Age in 1870: 42
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1870: Chalmers, McDonough, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Macomb
Household Members: Name Age
Caroline Strader 42
M A Strader 20
E C Strader 19
J M Strader 15
L J Strader 12
M E Strader 11

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Caroline Strader
Age: 51
Birth Year: abt 1829
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1880: Chalmers, McDonough, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Maryland
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members: Name Age
Caroline Strader 51
Matilda A. Strader 30
John Strader 25
Hilda Strader 21

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Caroline Strader
Age: 31 [71]
Birth Date: Jun 1828
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1900: Chalmers, McDonough, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Mother
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother: number of living children: 4
Mother: How many children: 6
Household Members: Name Age
John N Strader 45
Caroline Strader 31 [71]
Matilda Strader 50

She died in Bethel Township, McDonough County and is buried in the South East Section of the Gibson Cemetery.