Among the honored citizens of Griffin no man stands higher than Robert Fleming Strickland, who has been identified with that city for forty years, though by no means an old man.  He was born near Concords, Pike County, in 1851, son of Isaac and Mary (Hartsfield) Strickland.  His father was a farmer and a Confederate soldier.  Isaac Strickland was born in North Carolina, removing with his parents to Jasper county, and later to Pike county, Georgia.  Mr. Strickland's mother was a native of Oglethorpe county.  On both sides of the family they have been Georgians for several generations.  In
both paternal and maternal lines the descent is English - the Stricklands' having been known in England for seven or eight centuries.  The family is said to have originated in the North of England in Cumberland.  As an example of
the evolution of names, one of these families of Strickland is descended from Sir Robert de Strickland of Westmoreland, England, who lived in the time of Henry III.

Mr. Strickland was educated in the schools of Concord, and in 1870, a youth of nineteen, moved to Griffin and began his business career as a clerk for Mr. Rosser.  He remained in this one position for ten years; and this illustrated his character - he made no premature move.  In these first ten years he made character, saved a little money, and won standing in the community.  With
the small capital which he saved up he embarked in business in 1880 on his own account in small and cramped quarters, and it is worth while to note the growth of these thirty years.  From the small venture of the young man of twenty-nine, thirty years ago, has grown the great Strickland-Crouch Company, department store.  This enterprise now represents an investment of fifty thousand dollars or more, and does an immense business.  But this is not all.  Another department store has been established at Concord, Georgia - Mr. Strickland's native town - under the style of R. F. Strickland Company.

Of both these concerns, he is the president; but this by no means exhausts the list of his activities;  He is President of the Farmers and Merchants Warehouse Company <of Griffin>; Vice-President of the Farmers and Merchants Bank <of Griffin>, which position he has held ten years, and of which bank he was one of the organizers.  In addition to all this, he is one of the largest farmers of his section, owning and operating a 6,500 acres farm in Pike county, near Concord.

He now devotes most of his personal attention to the care of his extensive farming interests.  A public spirited man, he has served as a member of the City Council; a member of the Griffin City Board of Education, and was
four years member of the Board of County Commissioners, being for most of the time chairman.  He is active in church and fraternal work, being a member of the Baptist Church, of the Red Men, and the Odd Fellows.

On March 7, 1878, Mr. Strickland, was married to Miss Emily Head, daughter of Doctor J. D. Head, a prominent physician of Butts county. Mr. Strickland's political affiliation through life has been with the Democratic party.  every enterprise in which he has become interested has been made a success;
and this is largely due to his business ability, his sound judgment, and the thoroughness with which he carries out everything he undertakes.  this thoroughness is exemplified in his farming operations.  He believes
that the prosperity of Georgia hinges upon the raising of all his supplies at home.  He puts his theories into practice, and it easily follows that his farming is a success.

He believes that the greatest needs of the State are good roads and good schools, and that our best efforts would be directed along these lines - especially the latter, that out children may receive educational advantages
equal to that of any other section of the country.  He is a useful man, measured from every standpoint, and has won for himself a place in the esteem of the people of his section, which is most honorable testimony to his
worth.