Colonel David Crawford Houston (1835-1893)
Colonel Houston is a descendent of one of Orange County’s first settlers, Reverend Joseph Houston who came to Montgomery New York in the early 1700’s. David’s family donated some of their lands to Hillside Cemetery at its inception. This land comprises the lower portion of the cemetery at the main entrance. In 1852 he was appointed a cadet at West Point and was graduated from the military academy in June, 1856 with high honors. For his achievements at West Point he led the fourth of July Parade in Middletown a month later as Grand Marshal, mounted on a “spirited charger”. On October 31, 1856, he was made a second lieutenant, and on May 2, 1861, first lieutenant. On March 3, 1863, he was made captain. He rendered distinguished services during the Civil War, and received the brevet rank of captain on August 10, 1862, for brilliant work at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. His bravery during the Maryland Campaign earned for him the brevet rank of major. Subsequently, for his gallant services at Port Hudson, La., he received the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel, and at the close of the war he was a brevet colonel. He was honorably mustered out on May 31, 1865, and the following year received a commission as major in the army, and in 1882 was made a lieutenant colonel of engineers. At the time of his death he had charge of the river and harbor improvement work of Connecticut. A descendent of Colonel Crawford’s is Susan Wyman, a current board member at hillside.
Colonel Houston is a descendent of one of Orange County’s first settlers, Reverend Joseph Houston who came to Montgomery New York in the early 1700’s. David’s family donated some of their lands to Hillside Cemetery at its inception. This land comprises the lower portion of the cemetery at the main entrance. In 1852 he was appointed a cadet at West Point and was graduated from the military academy in June, 1856 with high honors. For his achievements at West Point he led the fourth of July Parade in Middletown a month later as Grand Marshal, mounted on a “spirited charger”. On October 31, 1856, he was made a second lieutenant, and on May 2, 1861, first lieutenant. On March 3, 1863, he was made captain. He rendered distinguished services during the Civil War, and received the brevet rank of captain on August 10, 1862, for brilliant work at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. His bravery during the Maryland Campaign earned for him the brevet rank of major. Subsequently, for his gallant services at Port Hudson, La., he received the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel, and at the close of the war he was a brevet colonel. He was honorably mustered out on May 31, 1865, and the following year received a commission as major in the army, and in 1882 was made a lieutenant colonel of engineers. At the time of his death he had charge of the river and harbor improvement work of Connecticut. A descendent of Colonel Crawford’s is Susan Wyman, a current board member at hillside.