Past Grand Master Obed F. Strickland was born in the eastern part of the State of New York, where he studied law. He left his native town early in life and opened a law office with his brother in St. Johns, Clinton county, Michigan. His health failing he was obliged to change climate, and removing in 1863 to Nevada City, Montana, he and Past Grand Master R. H. Robertson, (deceased in 1879) opened a law office in that city, under the firm name of Strickland & Robertson. When the Pacific Railroads were nearing completion they removed to Salt Lake City, where their firm became widely known.
In the early part of 1869, Bro. Strickland was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in Utah, and remained upon the Bench for nearly four years, during the most trying and troublesome of Utah’s vexatious times; with no adequate law to meet the emergency, no court machinery to enforce the crude existing statutes in a hostile community; but he boldly and unflinchingly faced the situation and brought order out of chaos. He was an honest man, and did his best. Those times made bitter enemies and strong friends, and Judge Strickland had his full share of them. He upheld the banner of loyalty in Utah, when to do so meant more than mere talk; though assailed with abuse and temptation, he scorned the one and spurned the other. His memory will ever be associated with the most manly period in Utah’s struggle for liberty, freedom and loyalty.

In 1882, he returned to his old home in St. John’s, and there, on the 28th of June, 1887, he died suddenly of heart disease, there being no preceding illness.

Bro. Strickland was made a Mason in St. John’s Lodge, No. 105, Michigan, in the early past of 1863. He helped to organize Wasatch Lodge No. 8, Montana Register, 1866, in this city, and was its Master in 1870. At the organization of this Grand Lodge, in January, 1872, he was elected Grand Master.

The following from his address delivered at the first Annual Communication, will give the key to his character as a man, a citizen and a Mason: “Our success is certain, be the situation what it may. As Master-workmen, we are equal to the emergency. It is enough that we have sufficient material, let the workmanship of our hands attest the ability we possess in our vocation. What Masonry has done in the past it can assuredly do in the future. Pat hands, coupled with true Masonic energy, will make our success all we can justly desire.”