John Wilson STROUD

November 4, 1855 - April 3, 1931

*Obituary
Rogers Democrat
Thursday, April 9, 1931

STROUD, John Wilson - In the presence of a crowd that filled the First Christian Church in Rogers, funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for John W Stroud, former secretary of the Ozark Fruit Growers' Association and prominent citizen of Rogers, who died in a Springfield, Mo. hospital April 3rd, 1931 following a major operation on Tuesday. The services were conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Oscar Ingold, who paid a glowing tribute to the man who for nearly 40 years had been this church's strongest pillar and an untiring worker in both civic and religious work. His passing leaves a vacancy in the community life of his home city that will be hard to fill. John Wilson Stroud was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen B. Stroud, pioneer settlers on Pea Ridge. He was born Nov. 4, 1855 on the Stroud homestead two miles northwest of Pea Ridge, just across the Missouri line. His schooling, like many of our older residents, was obtained at the old Pea Ridge Academy and when it burned just after the close of the war he attended the school at Buttram's Chapel. In 1879 he was married to Miss Amelia Miser, the daughter of another family of pioneers. They located on a farm southeast of Pea Ridge where for many years Mr. Stroud had one of the finest apple orchards in Benton County. Mr. Stroud was one of the organizers of the Ozark Fruit Growers Association and served continuously for, nearly 20 years as its secretary. For many years it was one of the largest, co-operative organizations in the country. Since then Mr. Stroud has engaged in the fruit brokerage business and later became sales manager of the Central Fruit Company. He resigned to become president of the Farmers' State Bank of Rogers. Bank work did not appeal to him and he resigned a little over a year ago to become sales manager of the Fruit Growers exchange. For many years Mr. Stroud attended all the national fruit and jobbers associations and was nationally known among the commission men of the country. He was a prominent member of the State Horticultural Society for over 40 years, serving as its president for some time. He was honored two years ago by being made a life member of the society. In home affairs Mr. Stroud was equally prominent, being a charter member of the Rogers Rotary Club. A remarkable record was that of being superintendent and teacher of the Bible Class at the First Christian Church for 37 years. Always deeply interested in religious work Mr. Stroud was chairman of the board of stewards of his church. During the busy fruit shipping season when he was obliged to make his headquarters in Monett. Mr. Stroud motored home each Saturday night or early Sunday morning to take charge of his class. His benevolence often over-reached his means, both he and his wife did much charity work and much unknown to the benefactors. It is known to but few that Mr. and Mrs. Stroud adopted and supported a missionary in a foreign country. For many years Mr. Stroud served in the Benton County Sunday School Association as president. Besides his widow, Mrs. Amelia Stroud, he is survived by a son, Wilson Stroud, of Humboldt, Tenn., a daughter, Mrs. Cora McLeod of the home; three brothers, A.B. Stroud of Rogers; H.L. Stroud of Kansas City and U.G. Stroud of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Miss Eula Stroud of Redlands, Calif. and Mrs. Frances Dean of Dallas, and by a granddaughter, Miss Amelia Stroud of Beverly Hills, Calif.; also by a host of other relatives.

Contributed on 8/14/14 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1031751

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