Strope, from Stroup(e), possibly originally from Straub
[Possibly originally from Großgartach, Germany] -> Union Co., Pennsylvania (1782-1820s) -> Seneca Co., New York (1820s-1830s) -> Michigan (1830s)
Diana G. Matthiesen's website (DGM) is a fantastic reference for the earlier members of this line and the efforts to untangle the over-all lineages of Straub(e), Stroop, Stro(u)p(e), & etc., surnames.
It is said that the various germanic origin Straub (and etc.) lines trace back to the regions of the Palatinate, Württemberg, Alsace-Lorraine, and/or Switzerland and that the earliest immigrants on this side of the Atlantic (asides from a possible Stroop stray in Maryland - see Mathias Stroop at DGM's website), was amongst the palatinate families that fled first to Rotterdam in the Netherlands and then London to avoid religious persecution around 1709. They were then sent to New York around 1710 in a program to produce naval stores (lumber, pitch, charcoal, etc.) for the British navy, with some staying in New York and others moving into Pennsylvania (See Johannes Straub at DGM's site). However in an email Diana explained that the Union county Straub's (including presumably the below Michael) likely do not connect to that lineage but descend instead from Johann Pieter Straub I of Großgartach in the Kraichgau, near Heilbronn, Germany, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1733 aboard the Pennsylvania Merchant and, and if so the line can be pushed back to Martin Straub born 1616 in Gemmingen (see below).
A grandmother of one of my ancestor's of the Strope/Stroup line was Amanda Whitmore who was said to have lived for over 100 years. Some source's without date's say she is the grandmother of Henry Stroup Sr. (possibly the mother of Sarah Graves/Grove) but other sources (with date's) list her as Mary Sandford's mother's and say that Amanda was born in 1799 and died in 1925, which would actually make it 125 or 126 years! (This claim is further supported by an entry on Henry Sr. in the History of Kent County, MI where it is claimed that she {his GGM} ...lived to the enormous age of 126 years.)
side note's about some of the places mentioned in Germany (based on german websites and my limited ability to translate german):
  • Großgartach (or Grossgartach)- Now-a-days (since it's merger with the neighboring Schluchtern in 1970) is part of Leingarten, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the timeframe Großgartach was split into 3 portions:
    1. the Knights/Provostry* of Odenheim zu Bruchsal (Ritterstift Odenheim zu Bruchsal), some sources indicate they owned ¾ of Großgartach, while others say 3⁄10 (perhaps they started out with ¾ originally in the 12th Century?)
      *= other names for the entity in german translate to something closer to "noble free-chapter-monastery of knights"
    2. The Duchy of Württemberg
      It's not clear from my attempts at translation which of the above 2 polities had the Landeshoheit over Großgartach.
    3. and the Kur.-Pfalz (Electoral Palatinate) had certain feudal rights and incomes exercised through the Kellerei Hilsbach, a "Amtsbereich" of (Oberamt/Oberamtes) Mosbach
  • Gemmingen- nowadays it is Gemmingen, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the time frame of interest it had a status of Reichsfreiherren und Reichsritterschaftlicher - which I think translates as something like 'Imperial Free-Lord(-s/-ship) and Imperial-Knightly-Estate-(plus whatever licher part means?) - Overall I think that could perhaps best be translated and simplified as "the Imperial Barony of". Located in the Canton of Kraichgau of the Swabian circle of Free Imperial Knights, belonging to a branch (I think the Gemmingen-Guttenberg or Gemmingen-Gemmingen {I'm not sure when the name chage occured} line) of the Gemmingen family of Reichsfreiherren (Imperial Barons/Lords) & landed Reichsritter (Free Imperial Knights of the Empire). It would appear, from my poor attempts to translate some german websources, that a portion (⅜) of Gemmingen was among the territories sold by the family in 1664, most (or all) of which wound up owned by the Lords/Knights of Neipperg (later {1726} counts of Neipperg) by at least 1710 (possibly connected to their Adelshofen holding). Further, like with Großgartach, the Kur.-Pfalz held certain rights and incomes in Gemmingen exercised through the Kellerei Hilsbach since at least 1670 (The date of the listing of the assorted places under the control of Hilsbach).
  • Meanwhile Schluchtern was one of the 10 places that was fully a part of the the aforementioned Kellerei Hilsbach, though the Lords of Neipperg held certain rights.
  • The whole region was severely depopulated as a result of the 30 years war, with Gemmingen and Schluchtern being noted as especially hard hit.
    ? My 9th or 10th (or ?#) Great Grandfather, perhaps Martin Straub?
    Might Martin Sraub, b. 1616 in Gemmingen, d. 1675/6 in Großgartach, be an ancestor? (PURE SPECULATION AT THIS POINT - see introductory text). See Martin Straub at DGM's site
    ? My 8th or 9th Great Grandfather, perhaps Johann Adam Straub?
    Might Johann Adam Straub (1666-1726) of Großgartach, Germany, be an ancestor? (PURE SPECULATION AT THIS POINT - see introductory text). See Johann Adam Straub at DGM's site
    ? My 7th or 8th Great Grandfather, perhaps Johann Pieter Straub I?
    Might Johann Pieter Straub I (b. 1695), 1733 Immigrant to Philadelphia, from Großgartach, Germany, be an ancestor? (PURE SPECULATION AT THIS POINT - see introductory text). see Johann Pieter Straub I at DGM's site
    ? My 6th Great Grandfather, ?
    Possibly a Son or Grandson of Johann Pieter Straub I? (PURE SPECULATION AT THIS POINT)
    For just a select sample of some of the possibilites see the pages for George P. Straub/Stroub, or George's father Johann Pieter Straub II, or George's uncle (Peter II's brother) the Rev. Johann Carl/Charles Straub, Sr. at DGM's site.
    further, might George Stroup be a sibling of the below Michael? (note the similiar geography for his entry at DGM's site: born PA 1770s, PA->Seneca Co., NY ~1804, to Yates Co., NY by 1825, NY-> Macomb Co. MI 1833) (PURE SPECULATION AT THIS POINT)
    My 5th Great Grandfather, Michael Stroup/Straub
    Born 1782 in Pennsylvania. Died May 29th 1851 in Washtenaw Co., MI, burried in Bridgewater Town Hall Cemetery (row 13 g 6 next to Sarah). Married 16 Nov 1806 in 'Buffalo Valley', Union Co. PA to Sarah Graves/Grove/Grave.
    Weaver
    Marriage date is confirmed on page 354 of the Union count History: Annals of the Buffalo Valley.
    Family is in White Deer Twp. of Northumberland Co. (which later became part of Union Co.), PA in the 1810 Census and is in Buffalo Twp. of Union Co. PA in the 1820.
    DGM relay's information from another researcher that Michael is mentioned in assorted records (mostly tax records) connected with Derrstown/Lewisburg in 1808, then in White Deer Twp. in 1809 & 1810, then in Buffaloe Twp. in 1811, before back to Derrstown/Lewisburg in records of 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, & 1818, before reappearing in records of Buffalo Twp. in 1820, then East Buffalo Twp. in 1821 & 1822, before back to Buffalo Twp. in 1822, & 1823. Lewisburg was established as a borough in 1812 from East Buffalo Twp., but White Deer & East Buffalo Townships were already established from Buffalo Twp. in the 18th Century. Therefore is this a record of seperate moves in 1808/9, 1810/1, c.1812, c.1819, 1820/1, & twice in 1822? Or are some of the multiplicity of locations due to him having multiple landholdings?
    Family is in Seneca Co., NY on 1830 Census (Fayette twp.)
    Family is in Washtenaw Co., MI in the 1840 (under Mitchel Strop), 1845 (State, not Federal Census, in Bridgewater Twp.), 1850 (Bridgewater Twp. under Mear Strope - son John was apparently enumerated twice as he also shows up in his father-in-law's household), & Sarah is living with son John in the 1860 Census (Manchester Twp.)
    Despite being in Michigan by the 1840 census it appears he recieved Deeds to property back in Seneca Co., NY and was a Grantor of a deed there in 1844.
    eight Children:

    See Also: Michael and Sarah at DGM's website

    My 4th Great Grandfather, Henry Stroup Sr
    Born 1815 in Lewisburg, Union Co., Pennsylvania. Died 1890. married in 1841 to Mary Sandford.
    Farmer, Canal boat driver, & log runner on the Flat River. Educated in Seneca Co., New York. in 1847/8 he settled on 80 acres of land in Kent Co., MI in the Oakdale area of Spencer Township, the second regular settler in the township in January 1848.
    other sources give birth date as 1816 or 1817.
    In the Entry for Spencer township in the History and Directory of Kent county it is relayed "... Henry Stroup, the second settler, located in January 1848. Both of these settled on a plain in the southeastern part of the township, near the Oakfield line; and, for a number of years, were the only actual settlers..."
    Is in Kent Co., MI in the 1850 (town of Oakfield), 1860 (Oakfield P.O., Oakfield Twp.), 1870 (Cedar Springs P.O., Spencer Twp.), 1880 (Spencer Twp.) Census. When combined with the above quote, I'm guessing that Spencer Township was not ennumerated seperately in the 1850 & 1860 census.
    Seven children-

    See also: Henry and Mary at DMG's website

    My 3rd Great Grandfather, Henry Stroup/Strope/Stroupe Jr
    Born Sept. 15th 1846 in Bridgewater Township, Washtenaw Co., MI. Died Oct. 5th 1931 in Morley, MI. Married Sept. 15th 1866 in Kent Co., MI to Isadora Higgins. Married 2nd Ella Anne Gross, formerly his housekeeper, on 14 Feb 1899.
    He lived in Greenville, in Mecosta Co., and in Montcalm Co., all in MI. He worked as a Farmer, storekeeper, lawyer, lumberman, Shingle maker, and politician including being the leader of the Strope faction in the celebrated Strope-Crimmins political feud at Morley which split the town into two Republican factions for many years.
    During the civil war he changed his name from Stroup to Strope and enlisted at age 15 or 14 on 16 Feb 1864 (Note- date's do not agree) and served with Co. F of the 21st Michigan Infantry.
    He was a part of Sherman's march to the sea under Cornelius Vanluce (his Company Commander) and was at the battles of Stone River, Savannah, Maryha's Vineyard, & Bentonville. Upon returning to Michigan he joined the masons after seeing how regular Union dead were thrown in a pit by confederates whereas Union masons were buried neatly.
    After the war he was transfered to Co. C of the 14th Michigan Infantry and the unit was scheduled to join Gen. Custer to 'quell Indian uprising out west'. Luckily this never happened for we know what happened to Custer and his men.
    In 1870 census he is listed in Cedar Springs P.O., Spencer Twp., Kent Co, MI - two households away from his parents.
    In 1880 Census he is listed on Lafayette Street, Ward 2 of the City of Greenville, Montcalm Co., MI.
    1900 Mecosta County plat map shows H. Strope owns 89 acres at E½ NW¼ Sec.28 T13N R9W (Deerfield Township), right across the street from G. Mero! Also shows him owning 40 acres at SW¼ SE¼ Sec. 35 T13N R9W.
    1918 Mecosta County plat map shows him (albeit with name spelled Stroppe) owning the same 89 acre plot in Section 28 and now owning (last name spelled Strope) the adjacent 40 acres at SE¼ SW¼ Sec.21 T13N R9W (Deerfield Township). (The land in Section 35 that Henry owned in 1900 is now part of a 80 acre holding of a G. Mero, however this can't be Gilbert Mero since he died in 1912)
    Listed (as Strope) in the 1918-1923 Mecosta County Farm Directory with wife Ella and 3 ch[ildren, engaged in] farming & milling O[wning] 89a[cres] H[ouse]&L[ot] Morley Ind tel. Next entry is a Benjamin and Libbie Stroup owning 80 acres Rural Route 2 "Paris Gre 74" (Paris, Green Township?)
    Eight children:
    With Isadora Higgins With Ella Anne Gross:

    See also: Henry & 'Isidora' at DGM's website

    My Great-Great Grandfather, Delmar Warren Strope
    Born April 15th, 1866 in Greenville, Montcalm Co., MI. Died Feb. 1928 in Lansing, Eaton Co., MI. Married Nov 10th, 1888 in Mecosta Co., MI to Nina May Hansen.
    I originally had birth as April 15th, 1866, but a source - which also showed another (earlier/later?) marriage to Ella Gross - had 1875 and had additional children for Delmar (whom I have added below).
    Update: the above source appears to be incorrect, a much more authoratative source has confirmed that Delmar's birth was 15 April 1866, five months before his parents wedding because when Henry "came back from the war he not only wanted to join the masons, he was in a hurry to leave his mark so to speak" and that Ella Gross was not Delmar's wife but his step-mother (R. Allison) so I have changed it back to 1866.
    Sold home furnishings in Grand Rapids, MI and lived at 731 E. Shiawassee St., moving to Lansing about 1905.
    DGM found him listed as "Dilman" age 2 on the 1870 Census & "Delmer" age 13 on the 1880 census. Three Children:
    My Great Grandmother, N.D.M.S.
    Information withheld to protect privacy of living descendents
    3 children, 4 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren, & 2 Great-Grandchildren
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    Last Update: Oct 23rd, 2010. Minor update Nov. 25th, 2010: No new info, just some minor grammer and punctuation improvements.