Lowry M. Stoops Biography Hancock County, WV ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** Submitted by Valerie F. Crook The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 272-273 Hancock County LOWRY M. STOOPS. Among the younger generation of educators who have made rapid strides in their calling with- in recent years and who have contributed through their labors to the advancement of the cause of education in Hancock County, one who is well and popularly known is Lowry M. Stoops, superintendent of schools of the New Cumberland Independent District. Since the start of his career Mr. Stoops has applied himself to educational work with the exception of the period when he was serving in the United States Army in the World war, in which he saw much overseas service. Lowry M. Stoops was born at Tustin, California, April 5, 1892, and is a son of Rev. J. P. Stoops, a minister of the Presbyterian Church. Reverend Stoops came orig- inally from Pennsylvania and has filled pulpits in various parts of the country, including his native state, California, Ohio and West Virginia. In the last named he served eight years, at West Liberty and Warwood, and at the latter place organized the congregation and erected the present church edifice. At the present time he is filling a charge at Wooster, Ohio. The early education of Lowry M. Stoops was acquired in the public schools, following which he pursued a course in the normal school at West Liberty and was graduated from that institution in 1909. In that year he became principal of the Ward School at Benwood, and remained in that capacity for five years, or until 1914, when, feeling the need of further preparation, he enrolled as a student at the West Virginia University. While he was engaged in his collegiate work he conducted an extension course. Mr. Stoops had a brilliant college career and was duly graduated in 1917, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. At this time his career was interrupted when the United States became involved in the World war, and he enlisted in the Fifteenth United States Engineers, with which unit he saw two years of service, twenty-one months being in France. This was a railroad organization, in which Mr. Stoops held the rank of sergeant, and its work, principally the building of railroad yards, new roads, bridges, etc., frequently brought them within range of the enemy's fire. Sergeant Stoops was with the Headquarters Com- pany, and his record was one of conscientious attention to duty. On his return, and after he had received his honor- able discharge from the army, he again took up the pro- fession of teaching, and during 1919 and a part of 1920 was principal of the Weirton High School. In the latter year he was elected superintendent of the New Cumberland Independent School District, which includes seventeen teachers and a student enrollment of 500. Of these ninety pupils are in the high school, and in 1921 the graduating class consisted of twenty graduates. Mr. Stoops is greatly interested in his work and is indefatigable in his efforts to improve the system and elevate the standards. In his labors he is being assisted by the teachers and pupils, with whom he has become greatly popular, and his work is also receiving the sanction and appreciation of his fellow- citizens at New Cumberland. Mr. Stoops stands high in the esteem of his fellow educators and is a valued member of the West Virginia Educational Association and the National Educational Association. He is partial to all forms of out-door and indoor exercise, particularly basket- ball and baseball, but primarily the latter. While a stu- dent at West Virginia University he was a member of the varsity team, and at present acts as coach for the local school team at New Cumberland, which under his instruc- tion and guidance has won several county championships in contests with other Hancock County School clubs. Mr. Stoops was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Williamson, of Ben's Run, Tyler County, West Virginia, whom he met as a fellow-educator at Weirton. Mrs. Stoops has taken an active and helpful part in all work of local progress and has been a leading figure in several move- ments.