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Alpheus Dickenson Stroud
Private, Co. G
10th Texas Cavalry
By Ted Williamson
The following clipping from the Henderson Semi-Weekly Times, of May 14th, 1909, will give a fair estimate as to the standing of Dr. A. D. Stroud, son of Mark Stroud, eldest son of Eli Stroud.
"We give to our readers today the likeness and a brief
sketch of one of the greatest men and most noble
characters, in our opinion, who has ever lived in this
section of our country. It is never our purpose to unduly
laud the virtues of any individual, nor applaud any one for
the performance of a plain duty. But as we admire a
stately and giant oak in the forest, so do we admire a
character that towers above its surroundings and lives
above the petty things of life. In this pilgrimage of life we
often see, boldly outlined against a background of mature
years, giant oaks who have stood the storms of years like
a Gibralter and whose lofty head has for time lived above
the poison of the low lands. These characters, these men
are an inspiration and we believe that it is right and proper
to tell them kindly that their lives have not come for
naught, before they go from our midst.
"Doctor Stroud was born in Alabama in the year 1839, and removed to Texas with his parents the same year, settling in Robertson County, later moving to Nacogdoches, thence to Rusk, where he grew to manhood. On these red hills surrounding this old town he received his first lesson of actual life and a concept of the duties that awaited the man who lives for a purpose.
In 1861, when our country called for her men to defend the homes and virtue of her people, Doctor Stroud, then a young physician, marched to the front and volunteered his services and his life if need be, to Lee and Jackson, and for four long years ministered to the wounded, bleeding Confederacy in the capacity of army surgeon. It is said by those who were with him in these conflicts that he would administer to a dying soldier and at the same time breathe a prayer to God for the welfare of his soul and for the widow and mother down in "Dixie."
"Dr. Stroud has been in the active practice of medicine forty-eight years, forty-two of which has been in Henderson. As a physician he ranks with the best and has always enjoyed an extensive practice, strictly adhering to professional ethics, and keeping step with the rapid progress in the science of medicine. For forty years he has been the pillar of the Presbyterian church in Henderson, for twenty-six years he was superintendent of its Sabbath school- and there are men and women today throughout all this country whose lives have been given to the service of God through the Christian influence of Dr. Stroud. In former years, when the church here was weak and many of its members went to other organizations, this faithful soldier of the cross continued steadfast in the faith and in his creed and has lived to see it prosper again. Today he is the pillar, the chief counsellor and the central head and support of the U. S. A. church in this city.
"As a man and a citizen Doctor Stroud is a model. No one ever heard him utter an unkind word about
his fellowman, no one ever could say an unkind word about him. He never was in a hurry, he takes life
easy. He is neither too centripetal nor centrifugal, but equally balanced between these two opposing
forces he steadily marched through seventy years of active life without ever going off at a tangent or
losing his equilibrium. He possesses those elements that go to make a man; his life has been an eminent
success; he has never sought after this world's goods nor tried to hoard them away, but has lived for
humanity and the welfare of the common good. No petty or small affairs ever found lodgment in his
being; he has lived liberally, broadly and his great heart has always pulsated for the suffering and
downtrodden of this world. His friends trust that there are yet many years of usefulness for this man.
Also, Ethan A. Stroud was his brother. Ethan died in 1862 in the battle of Georgetown, Kentucky.
Alpheus D. Stroud was my 2nd Great-Grandfather.
Ted Williamson
Round Rock, TX
10 Oct 2006
