P.J. Krouse

Penn Jeffries Krouse (September 23, 1877–April 1944), usually known as P. J. Krouse was a prolific architect in the state of Mississippi. Many of his buildings were located in the Meridian area.

Penn Jeffries Krouse was born on September 23, 1877, to parents Adrian Zick Krouse and Ann Ruben Jeffries. Krouse had three children with his wife, Martha Rebecca Dillehay: Adrian Alonzo, Charles Dabbs, and Emily Bonner. Emily was born in Meridian on August 29, 1909, and died in Atlanta, Georgia on September 7, 2003. Her funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church of Meridian, a church which her father designed. Charles would later become an architect himself. P.J. and Martha later divorced, and P.J. married Katherine Barham.

Krouse was a member of the Scottish Rite subgroup of Freemasonry. He was also appointed as the chairman of the War Price and Rationing Administration during World War II. His health deteriorated during his time as chairman, forcing him to resign. He died in April 1944.

Buildings designed by Krouse span a wide range of architectural styles including Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Egyptian Revival, Beaux Arts, and Art Deco. Krouse designed buildings in Meridian and Laurel, Mississippi, as well as courthouses in Clarke, Jones, Yalobusha, Lauderdale, and Pearl River County.

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