J.P. Houck Residence.
#237 south side of East Market Street, near the corner of Mason Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
About 1860.
Brick, originally two story, mansard and dormers added later, beautiful lawn and grounds, with magnificent trees. The walk from street lined on both sides with old boxwood. See also form #3686, attached.
Crawford C. Strayer the builder of this residence was born August 5, 1824, and came to Harrisonburg from New Market, Virginia, some years before the War Between the States. He built and occupied this residence as his home some time before 1860. It is a two story brick with a mansard roof and dormers added by the late Mr. Joseph P. Houck, father of the present owner. At that time Mason Street running north and south extended only as far south as East Market Street being largely, if not altogether devoted to farming. East Market Street is now United States Route #4, also known as Spotswood Trail, was for many years known as Rockingham Pike eastward, and it was over this road that Freemont followed Stonewall Jackson to Cross Keys and Port Republic, though Freemont failed to get all of the way. Over this road too, Sheridan and Early played with each other in unequal combat in 1864, unequal only in numbers and equipment, however, on the part of Early but superior on his part in strategy and the skillful handling of his forces.
Crawford Strayer, as he was familiarly known, was among the outstanding men of Rockingham County as well as of Harrisonburg, being a man of a jovial and pleasing personality, sympathetic in his contacts with men, making many friends. Among his closer or more personal ones were Judge James Kenney, Judge John T. Harris and Andrew Henneberger.
In politics Mr. Strayer was affiliated with the Democratic Party, but did not take a leading or active part in party affairs, though it was never difficult to know just where he stood on any question of public concern.
He was a graduate of Washington and lee at Lexington, Virginia, and was for some time engaged in the practice of law at the Harrisonburg bar before engaging in backing. He was a man of fine business judgment, assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Harrisonburg, and for many years was its cashier.
J.P. Houck Residence
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Crawford Strayer married Juliet Lyle Smith, daughter of Abraham and Martha Reid Smith. She was born November 26, 1826, and lived in Harrisonburg for more than forty years. She died in 1893, in her sixty-seventh year. She was a woman of positive character, strong in her sympathies, yet of a gentle disposition. She was loyal and strong in her feelings for the Southern Confederacy and is said to have remained unreconstructed to the very last. She was the founder of the Ladies Confederate Memorial Association, and was for many years its President. It was through the unceasing efforts of this Association that the Cenotaph marking the last resting-place of the Confederate soldiers of Rockingham County was erected to the memory of their heroic deeds and supreme sacrifice.
On the entrance to the Soldiers section of Woodbine Cemetery is a tablet with this inscription: To the memory of Juliet Lyle Strayer Founder and for many years President of the ladies Memorial Association.
Crawford c. Strayer and his wife, Juliet Lyle, lie buried in Woodbine Cemetery at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Photograph.
Informant: Mrs. Ernest Strayer, Harrisonburg, VA.
Rockingham County Court Records, Harrisonburg, VA.
September 1, 1937 Geo. W. Fetzer
Harrisonburg, VA.