Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/270

Insurance and Realty Company. He is a member of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar Association, and an official member of the Methodist Episcopal church and interested in the work of all.

Albert L. Roper married, January 22, 1913. Georgiette, daughter of Rev. Leighton Parks. Child, Leighton Parks, born November 26, 1913.

William Henry Stroud. The "Southampton Democrat." formerly the "Franklin Gazette," of Franklin, Virginia, one of the most influentials journals of Southampton county, has for many years been under the ownership and editorship of William Henry Stroud. Mr. Stroud came to this paper, then the "Franklin Gazette," as manager, later purchasing the same and establishing it under its present title. That its favor is widespread and its stronghold fairly impregnable is shown by the fact that it has survived the attacks of five competitive newspapers that have sought to enter the Franklin field, the choice of the citizens of the locality proving conclusively the supremacy of the "Democrat."

Mr. Stroud is a son of James Stroud, born in York county, Virginia, in 1803, died in 1863, who was a stone mason, a trade that he followed actively for many years of his life. He married Jane Ellen Creecy, born in 1839, educated at Eden College, North Carolina, daughter of Robert Creecy, her father a planter on an extensive scale of Beaufort, North Carolina, who married Parthemia Weston.

William Henry Stroud, son of James and Jane Ellen (Creecy) Stroud, was born in Portsmouth, Norfolk county, Virginia, June 18, 1862, and after a course in the public schools of his native place became a student in the academy maintained by W. H. Stokes, at Portsmouth. After completing his studies in Phillips Military Academy, he apprenticed himself to the trade of tailor, later turning to that of printer, having followed the former for one year. After becoming a journeyman printer he was for four years employed in the office of the "Portsmouth Daily Enterprise." and was then until 1886 a printer in various offices in that city and Norfolk, Virginia. In that year Mr. Stroud moved to Franklin, Virginia, to assume charge of the "Franklin Gazette." beginning its management on January 18, 1886. On October I, of the same year, he purchased all rights in connection with the paper changing its name to the "Southampton Democrat," and continues its publication to the present time. Although the political sympathies of his paper are Democratic, in political discussion, as in all else, its views are fair and expressed in a manner giving no offense to those of different belief. Its departments are varied and give it a wide appeal, while the cleanliness of its journalism and its unbiased viewpoint make it a regular and welcome visitor in the best homes of the county. As previously stated, the "Southampton Democrat" has safely survived the competition instituted by five other papers that vainly strove to gain a foothold in the territory in which the "Democrat's" popularity is greatest. and is now in the most flourishing condition of its career, financially and as regards circulation and influence. Mr. Stroud is past noble grand of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and fraternizes also with the Woodmen of the World, and Columbian Wood- men, being secretary of the latter lodge at Franklin, Virginia. His political party is the Democratic, and he was once a candidate for the Virginia assembly on the ticket of that party in the primary election against three other candidates. Although he did no personal canvassing, nor asked for a single vote, he received a most complimentary vote, as a recognition of his independent disposition, which he maintains on all political subjects. While not a communicant of the Baptist church, his sympathies are with that denomination.

Mr. Stroud married, January 2, 1890, Mary Virginia Smith, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in March, 1865, daughter of Hugh and Mary V. (Butters) Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud are the parents of: Mary Hazel, born in Portsmouth, Virginia, December 16, 1890. died in August, 1895; Caledonia, born in Franklin, Virginia, October 15, 1892; Lee Hazelwood, born in Franklin, Virginia, July 14, 1897.

Calder Smith Sherwood. Eldest of the four children of Oscar B. and Elizabeth Carolina (Williams) Sherwood, Calder Smith Sherwood, of Portsmouth, Virginia, at the early age of fifteen years became the bread winner of his family, his father's ab-