Wake County, NC - William Stronach

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In her early years the City of Raleigh took unto herself talents, services 
and leadership of several citizens of Wee Bonnie Scotland. A roll call of 
immigrants coming directly or indirectly includes Peter Browne, pioneer 
attorney and clerk of the Court; William Glendenning, one-time circuit rider 
in Virginia and North Carolina; and William Stronach.

William Stronach was born at Stoneveach, Moray Shire, in northern Ireland, 
on November 3, 1803 (Shire of Elgin, according to his tombstone). In the 
August term of Wake County Court in 1835 he applied for citizenship, stating 
that he was thirty-one and had come to America by way of Leith in Scotland.  

When construction of the Capitol was begun in the 1830's to replace the 
original State House destroyed by fire, artisans were secured from several 
sources. Stronach was awarded the contract for the foundation. Following the  
laying of the cornerstone by David L. Swain, work progressed slowly and it 
was not completed until 1840. 

Stronach died in Raleigh in 1857 and his wife, Sarah, a native of Henrico 
County, Virginia, who died in 1866 at age fifty-two, are buried in Oakwood 
Cemetery, near graves of Governors Swain and Worth. 

He came to North Carolina to help build a Capitol for the citizens and 
remained to make the Capital City his home. According to Moses Amis in 
HISTORICAL RALEIGH (p. 61), William Stronach was the father of Frank Stronach, 
the late George T. Stronach, Alexander B. Stronach and William C. Stronach.

Alexander Barren Stronach (1848-1910), son of William Stronach, served with 
distinction in the Confederate Army and after the war attained top business 
leadership in Raleigh. He did much for the welfare of Confederate veterans 
and was highly literate, an authority on the history of Scotland. He married 
Mary Augustine Cook, daughter of George Thomas Cooke (1821-1884) and Mary Van 
Dalen Lindeman Cooke.

The Strong-Stronach House, 411 North Bloodworth Street, was one of the earliest 
houses in Oakwood, built about 1871 by Raleigh contractor Thomas H. Briggs for 
George V. Strong, a district attorney for the Confederacy and state legislator 
during his residency in the Capital City. The Italianate Revival influence is 
in evidence. A. B. Stronach was once an occupant.

The W. C. Stronach House, 601 North Bloodworth Street, was built by Thomas H. 
Briggs also, for W. C. Stronach, prominent merchant. According to a family 
tradition Stronach had recently experienced a business reversal and being 
short on funds, instructed the contractor to build a modest house. The Queen 
Anne style house occupies a most prominent spot in the area.

Source:
Elizabeth Reid Murray Collection
"People" - Box 3 of 3
Olivia Raney Library

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Elizabeth Reid Murray
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