The Stroud's were one of the most known families in LIMESTONE COUNTY. Their large plantation was known as 'PLEASANT RETREAT,' built in 1846.

Logan A. Stroud, planter, was born about 1815 in Morgan County, Georgia. The family later moved to Alabama, and in 1837 Logan became the first permanent settler in the area that later became Springfield in Limestone County, Texas. He married Jane Elizabeth Harlan on May 19, 1842. They lived first in the Brazos River bottoms then, because of the unhealthy conditions there, moved to Burr Oak Springs. With 100 slaves, Stroud was the largest slave owner in the county prior to emancipation. He raised corn and cotton on 600 acres of improved land. In 1871 Stroud bought town lots in Groesbeck and was a trustee of Trinity University at Tehuacana. His daughters Amaranth and Teresa were the first from Limestone County to attend Baylor University.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Randolph B. Campbell, An Empire for Slavery: The Peculiar Institution in Texas, 1821-1865 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1989). Ray A. Walter, A History of Limestone County (Austin: Von Boeckmann-Jones, 1959).

Obit from Groesbeck paper:
Logan A. Stroud, a pioneer citizen of Texas, died at the residence of his son, J.R. Stroud, in this city Sunday morning, February 5th, 1911, at half past nine o'clock, after having nearly reached the century mark. Surrounding his bedside when the end came were four of his children and a number of grandchildren, who watched with sorrowing hearts and tear-stained faces the final scene that marked the passage of the spirit of whom they so loved and reveranced, from this imperfect state to that glorious and immortal state, eternal in the Heavens. The closing scene was marked by that perfect peace and tranquility in which he had always lived with his fellowman. No wave of trouble, nor sign of grief or evidence of suffering suffused in his cheek; but like one who has loved out his allotted time, has fulfilled his mission, wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and composes himself into that gentle and dreamless sleep from which awakening will only come on the resurrection morn.
The body laid in state until Tuesday evening awaiting the arrival of his two absent sons, J.M. Stroud of Lakewood, N.M. and A.L. Stroud of Aipine, and other relatives. During this time the home was visited by numbers of the deceased's old friends as well as friends of the family who came to offer words of consolation and hope and cheer to the bereaved. But the most touching scene of all was when the old slaves, those who in former days were bound to him by the chains of bondage, came in troops and gazed for the last time upon the face of "old master," and the sorrow and grief depicted in their faces revealed that though the fetters of bondage had been broken, the ties of affection were still strong, and with bowed heads they mingled their tears with the others who stood around the bier.
The funeral services were had at the residence, Tuesday evening led by Rev. F.F. Bledsoe, who came from Navasota to perform this service at the request of the family, at the conclusion of which it was carried to the old Springfield cemetery and laid beside the beloved wife whom he had survived just a few days over six years.
Mr. Stroud was born in Morgan co, Georgia, October 10, 1814, and was therefore ninety-six years three months and twenty-five days old when he died. Moved to Texas with his father in 1837, locating to Robertson county, where he was married to Jane E. Harlan. Five years later, he moved to this county (Limestone), and settling near where old Fort Parker stood. When he came here, this section was overrun with Indians, bands of whom were continually raiding the settlements and depredating in numerous ways upon the settlers, but Mr. Stroud was fortunate in establishing friendly relations with them and for that reason was never molested by them to any extent. He was indeed a pioneer, blazing the path for future generations to follow and materially assisted in establishing a citizenship that only men of hardy natures and rugged constitutions, equipped with firm determination could lat the foundation for. Here his children were born and raised and educated, six of whom survive him, though their heads have been touched with frosts of many years. He always took a great interest in the affairs of this country and kept poised on all current events. He was one of those old sturdy characters who believed that the perpetuity of our institutions, the hope and salvation of our government rested solely in the application of the principles of democracy as taught by Jefferson and followed by Jackson. This interest he continued to manifest despite the advance of years. While a believer in revealed religion and for years and years been a humble follower of the Nazarene, he never united with any church, but he was not opposed to them, only preferring to perform his duty as he saw it, outside the pale of any denomination. His benefactions his gifts to charity and to the relief of those who were in distress were extensive, but the world knew it not. Self effacement was the guiding spirit with him when it came to matters of this kind. He accumulated wealth, and left his children well provided for, but the increasing of his stores had no effect upon his character as a man, or his demeanor toward mankind, save and except that it enabled him to dispense more charity, do more good to his fellowman. He possessed a loving, tender and compassionate nature, which bound him to all with the tenderest ties of affection which death cannot even rend asunder.
For the past six years, since the death of his beloved wife, with whom he loved for nearly seventy years, he has been waiting, just waiting for the summons to join her in the land where parting comes no more. While he had the love and companionship of children who anticipated every desire that was conducive to his comfort, and waited upon him as if he was a babe, yet all knew that his thoughts, yea, his longing was for her who had gone before and to be with her in paradise. The beauty and splendor with which the spirit of this grand old man passed from its tenement of clay, leads the chronicler of these lines to believe, that the gates of Heaven were simulaneously thrown ajar and as it neared the portals he beheld the outstretched arms and welcoming smile of her whom he had loved from the days of their youth and for whom he had mourned for six long and weary years. It was the day that brought him a fruition of his hopes, and this thought will serve as a healing balm to those whose hearts are bursting with sorrow and grief.
Surviving him, Mr. Stroud left six children, namely: J.M. Stroud, of Lakewood, N.M., A.L. Stroud of Alpine, Mrs. WW (Corinth) Buck of Hillsboro, Mrs. JP (Lela) Boyd of Witchita Falls, and Mrs W (Ellen Craig) Winston and JR Stroud of this city, besides numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. *(child James Robert Stroud was omitted originally but should have been listed in this accounting of Logan's children. DB)

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