Few people sojourning in the city of Springfield, if only a short time, fail to notice the home owned and occupied by the subject of this notice and which is one of the most beautiful within its limits. The residence, a handsome modern structure of Queen Anne style, is surrounded by ornamental grounds upon which have been expended a large amount of time and labor and which indicate in a marked degree the ample means and cultured tastes of the proprietor. The dwelling is finely finished and furnished, and occupies the gentle elevation commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.

Mr. STROUD has long been looked upon as one of the most liberal and public-spirited men of Springfield and one who has contributed in a large measure to its growth. Some years ago he purchased twelve acres of land on West High Street which he has since laid out into an addition to this city and besides this has platted two other additions. He has four hundred acres of valuable farming land in Clark County [Ohio], and fifteen hundred acres in the vicinity of St. Louis, Mo., besides valuable property at Mt. Ayre (sic), Ringgold County, Iowa. For twenty years he was connected with the ministry of the Lutheran Church and during his later labor in the Master's vineyard held the pastorate of St. John's at Springfield, resigning about 1871. Subsequently he preached at Lebanon seven years, also at Butlerville and Dodsonville [Ohio].

The native place of Mr. STROUD was in Reading, Berks County, Pa., and the date of his birth January 4, 1822. His father, Jonathan STROUD, was likewise a native of Reading, but the paternal grandfather, Edward STROUD, was a native of England and born in the city of Bristol. The latter emigrated to America after reaching manhood and settled first in Montgomery County, Pa., whence later he removed to Reading where he followed merchandising and died at the age of about sixty years. He was a peaceable and law-abiding citizen and a member of the Society of Friends.

The father of our subject was reared in his native State where he learned the business of a merchant and carried on business at Reading where he died at the early age of thirty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine EISENBEISE. She was likewise a native of Reading and the daughter of George EISENBEISE, a native of that city and of German ancestry. The latter went to Sussex, N. J., where he was married and then returning to his native city resided there until his death. The mother of our subject like her husband died in her prime at Reading in 1843. The parental family consisted of six children, two of whom are living and Charles was the fourth in order of birth.

Mr. STROUD attended school quite regularly during his boyhood and youth, and at the early age of eighteen years became connected with the Lutheran Church. At the age of twenty he became a student of Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, and in 1849, came to Springfield and prosecuted his studies at Wittenberg College. He commenced the study of theology in 1850, was graduated in 1851, and was licensed to preach by the Miami Synod. He commenced his ministerial labors at Springfield, Ohio, and not long afterward became the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, with whose people he remained for nearly a period of twenty years.

The marriage of the Rev. Charles STROUD and Miss Clara KEEVNER was celebrated at the bride's home near Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, August 28, 1851. This lady was born in Warren County, this State, November 27, 1830, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (ROGERS) KEEVER who were natives respectively of Franklin County, Pa., and Georgetown, Ky. The paternal grandfather was John KEEVER, a substantial Pennsylvania farmer who died in the Keystone State.

John KEEVER emigrated to Ohio when a young man, purchased large tracts of land in Warren County and superintended the improvement of it so that it proved a fortune. He constructed a fine homestead and died in 1834. The mother survived her husband for several years and passed away at the advanced age of seventy-two. Their family consisted of twelve children, of whom Mrs. STROUD was next to the youngest. Together with her brothers and sisters, she was given a pracitcal training in the common schools. Her education was completed in the seminary on East High Street, while she remained with her parents until her marriage. No children have been born of this union.

Politically, Mr. STROUD has always been identified with the Republican party and during the war was a stanch Union man.

SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green and Clark Counties, Ohio Pp. 131-32. Chapman Bros. Chicago. 1890.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2009