Grimsley High School - Whirligig Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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Robert Hood A N earnest, energetic obsession for accomplishment, but withal an abound¬ ing sense of humor, and an effectual talent for service, were the char- ■ acteristics of Robert Clarence Ilood. Born in Pitt County on July 5th, 1864, lie was the fourth of five sons. There was also one baby sister, the pet of all the brothers. When the father was taken, Robert was not eight years old; dark days set in for them all. The business which seemed lucrative was swept away; and it was now the wonderful but latent stamina and grit of the mother was called forth by necessity. She sold some lands and took her family to Raleigh. Robert was kept in school for awhile, but after a year it appeared impossible, and lie was employed by Mr. A. Creech, dry goods; he was given a square counter for his own—a great table piled with heterogeneous thrifty offerings, and a little alert, bright-eyed lad of nine, not much taller than the counter—but he gave it that devotion and thoroughness of purpose that was his; the outcome so far exceeded Mr. Creech’s expectations that he had these cards printed: Robt. C. Hood The Little Boy The Great Young American Salesman with A. Creech Dry Goods Call for me at the Door His school days were over, but bis education did not cease, for bis inherent thirst for knowledge kept him fitting every opportunity to study. A stay of some length in a printing office gave him perfect spelling, grammar, expression and a wide information. Indeed, one of the teachers at a school in this state averred that he had seldom seen any one better informed on so many and various subjects. It was Robert that took the father’s place in the perplexities and aspirations of his beloved little sister. She turned to “Bobbie” for all; he it was who capped the Christmas stocking with its wide-armed inviting doll. It is not right to say he was a devoted son, fond brother and stay of the family (and later, a prohibition worker and Sunday school teacher and philan¬ thropist), and refrain from speaking of his besetting sin; so it must be told that he was—a fighter; and, it is to be feared, one who enjoyed fighting; how¬ ever, the successes of these physical engagements gave him courage later on, to fight the social, commercial and political battles, the which he did after taking an honest and well-considered stand. 6

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Mk. R. C. Hood

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When he was eighteen he left Raleigh and went to Baltimore, and there was employed by a large wholesale notion store, Jno. A. Horner. In ten years he had forged his way to become buyer and partner of the business, which had increased to many hundred thousand a year. 11 is work was so large in its scope and his energy so unflagging that his health broke under the strain and he was compelled to give up his work; after resting (if his manifold efforts for civic improvement may be called rest) at a seaside town for two years, he moved to Greensboro and connected himself with the Southern Life and Trust Company. Ilis love and ambition for this city of his choice were unbounded, and it cannot he wide of the mark to say that lie identified himself with every move¬ ment for flu 1 progress, uplift and pleasant paths for Greensboro. During his residence of ten years here, he was a worker with the civic work, the V. M. C. A. and the V. W. ( ' . A., Chamber of Commerce, good roads, Fisher and Irving Parks, better streets, extension of car lines, commission form of gov¬ ernment, improvement in styles of architecture, Associated Charities, and school work, chiefly by working for the carriage of bonds, and beautifying the city. In 181)4 he was married to Anne Shackelford Garrett, of Virginia, and two daughters, Dorothy and Helen, were born to them. A beautiful tribute from his business associates gives a good picture of him : “Robert Hood, in the prime and vigor of life, is dead. On 23rd day of October, 1915, with the setting sun, his soul went forth to God. On no day of his life had his energies been more abounding, his joy in living so apparent, his spirit more buoyant, his smile brighter, his optimism greater, or his noble soul steadier cr more sure than on this fateful day. In the twinkling of an eye the book of his life was closed—a book teemin g with the record of forgetfulness of self, of hardships surmounted, of success achieved, of loving deeds, of burning eager zeal for the improvement of his city and state, of inspiring cheerfulness, lie was a true idealist, yet with a practical type of mind that insured the stamp of success upon every enterprise.” Folks from all walks of life felt free to come to him. Negro John, the yard man, in speaking of some kindness done for him, to another one of his patrons, said: “Mr. Hood is my best friend, and the kindest gent’mun ever 1 seen”, and she answered: “Yes, John, I agree with you. We speak in a different tense, but think in the same mood.” The great passion of his life was to make Greensboro a better place, not, as he often said, for himself, but for the generation that is just coming—for the boys and girls who in a few years are to be the men and women of the city. Truly one who loved his fellowmen. 7