During the years 1842 until 1848 Strengberg purchased the majority of shares in the tobacco factory in Jakobstad (founded in 1762). This proved to be the boost that the stagnant tobaccy industry had been waiting for, and the business was soon booming under the new name of ""Ph. U. Strengberg & C:o Tobaks-Fabrik"". He was a member of the municipal court from 1837 until 1858, and from 1843 an alderman of the city council. He died in Jakobstad in 1872, leaving behind a fortune of 526 000 Finnish Marks.