Ok folks! we have exactly two weeks to go. I can assure you of lots of good food and meeting a lot of your cousins. In 1927 there were over 1,200 people at the reunion. Last year we had about 75, I am expecting more this year and would like to see an increase each year. Below is a news article that was written in the Gastonia Daily Gazette in 1927. I find it interesting that even back that far they knew our family started in PA. Enjoy and I'll see you in two short weeks.
Special thanks to Pam Arkney who sent me this article.
Mike
1,200 Stroup Kith and Kin Attend the Annual Reunion
From a Half Dozen Counties or More From S. Carolina
ON ANCESTRAL ACRES
First Settlers of Stroup Name Came From Up In Pennsylvania
By Mrs. Joe Gribble
Dallas, Aug 5 (1927) - An epoebal record was made in the history of the Stroup clan Thursday when approximately 1,200 kith and kin entering up on their seventh generation in this section of the country, gathered for the third reunion at the hospitable and ideal country home of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Stroup and family. The scene was in a stone's throw of the old Stroup home place near Alexis where the first settlers in this vicinity, and as far as known in the South, lived.
From Lincoln, Catawba, Burke, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Rutherford, Cleveland, Caldwell, Iredell counties they came and from various points in South Carolina to even Old Sol and Jupiter Pluvius joined in a happy medium favorably, withholding the heat by overhanging clouds and subduing the rain until all the events of the day were over.
In the early morning cars began to arrive and find their respective places under the traffic direction of Mr. Paul H. Stroup of Stanley, who placed neatly printed little cards upon each windshield bearing these words. "This car has been to the Stroup reunion has yours?", and by this method 166 cars were there by actual count,.
Throughout this large two-story house with its spacious verandas, hallway and lower floor thrown in suite seemed to permeate an atmosphere of "Welcome" and a restful place for the women folks to congregate exchanging their ups and downs of housewifery, and as mothers. Out upon the broad lawn, men grouped, whiling away the morning hours by general review of the genealogy of the Stroup generations, while the children romped in gleeful play.
At the left of the home in easy reach of the road, as if to invite and refresh weary travelers with its cooling waters, stands the neatly framed well. At the right a large refreshment and cold drink stand was in operation to help defray the expense of the occasion. Large barns and storage rooms denoted the extent of the progressive farming, an outstanding vocation of this race while in the rear and along side of the home as far as eye could see were acres of fruit trees of every variety with some as fine peaches as can be found anywhere.
Rows of large sturdy oaks stand at intervals at the entrance to the broad gravel lawn. It was in this beautiful grove that the 240-foot table gracefully wended it’s way in and out and around the trees, and where one of the most gorgeously bedecked displays of food ever seen was placed. Words are inadequate for a description of that grand array of food upon snowy cloths against a background of a mass of people and with an overhanging canopy of green from the tree boughs.
Rev. W. B. McClure, of Alexis, deeply entrenched himself into this host of Stroups, and who claimed to have as much mouth as anyone there, presided as toastmaster of the day. All stood at attention while two photographers were upon the scene: Shelby, of Gastonia and Hardin of Hickory, engulfing the sights into the photo box. Rev. O. W. Triplette, pastor of the Stanley Baptist church, returned thanks.
The crowd was immense, and so was the food with a gracious plenty for all, partaken of with ease and order, no rush, every one congenially chatting as drumsticks, pulley bones, chess pies, two story custards, and sky-scraper cakes were devoured. Near the table a hogshead of ice-cold lemonade was free for the taking, with nothing omitted that would add joy or comfort to the day or hour.
THE FIRST SETTLERS IN THIS SECTION
Just whether this portion of Gaston was the Garden of Eden or the Stroup clan the forefathers of the Gastonites is a little mysterious to judge, for the first known settlers in this section were Adam and his wife, Eve, according to old records and older deeds, Dutch and German descendants migrating down from Pennsylvania. The biting cold of the northern country and the scarcity of food led this young couple to sell all they had practically, and venture out in search of a better place in which to live, which they felt was further south. A covered wagon held their belongings, the daring young husband and brave young wife and little babe. Time brought them at last to this spot, where the house now standing is known as the old Dave Stroup home, near the place of the reunion, and where four of the sons were present for the day. They pitched their tent for a camping period, and found a luxuriant growth of wild pea vines and dwarf cane covering the rolling country, that meant food for their stock, and the climate to their liking, whereupon they decided to stay. A little home was roughly built for shelter and soon 1400 acres of the land was staked off and claimed, as neighbors were practically unknown, with miles of wilderness between and to this day this original amount is still owned and in the hands of the Stroups, the old John Stroup place at Stanley known to be handed down for more than 150 years back. Deeds recorded showed the period to be in the reign of King George II of England.
Two years later in the spring, Adam Stroup was startled early one morning to hear the clear ring of an axe near his home, and thinking it was possibly Indians, scouted out to investigate, and to his great astonishment upon drawing nearer he recognized his father, Jacob Stroup. They too came cross-country in a covered wagon, had stopped there for the night, and were preparing their meals.
This happy meeting resulted in their going over to take up abode with the son until another home could be built and which was the beginning of the vast host of Stroups of today.
Noted for their strong physique, paramount on this occasion, Thursday, were many of the clan swinging "billy-sticks" and wearing the blue coats and brass buttons as policemen, deputy sheriffs, sheriffs, not only in Gaston county, but in portions of the other counties, and over the line into South Carolina they hold similar positions. Not only that, but every line of profession and outstanding vocations are found among them. Long life also seems characteristic with Mr. Columbus Stroup, of Cherryville, 84, the oldest man present, his brother also being there at the age of 82 and Mr. H. D. Stroup, 71. The youngest one present was the two-month-old little son, William Thomas Brissie of Charlotte, his mother a Stroup.
WOMEN NO WEAKLINGS
Hardy people include the women folks also with many interesting stories of the past and the part they played in the earlier days of establishing homes. No unusual sight then to see a woman swing a sack of two bushels of corn for the mill, and other stunts equivalent. Mr. H. C. Stroup, of Cherryville, was born and raised near this place and lived there until 16. It was during the war of '63 when his father deserted the army and was sought by a guard of Tories. He was not in hiding at his home, but the Tories insisted on searching the house, and as they made a forced moved his mother let them have a pitcher of scalding water, burning one in the face badly. This was the first time any of the Stroups had ever been on trial for anything in this section so far as known. His mother was convicted and fined $20 in Confederate money, which the neighbors made up and paid.
The Stroups have a grand record of law-abiding citizens and are seldom found in any court proceedings.
OTHER HAPPENINGS OF THE AFTERNOON
Good feeling arose to a high pitch and thrills were sent creeping along the spinal cord as the glad hallelujahs were sung by a Stroup quartet from Gaffney, S. C. They were Messrs. Lake and Elsy Stroup, brothers, and their sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Parris also of Gaffney. Following a number of quartet selections, Mr. Gainwell Stroup, gospel song leader of Pineville rendered a solo. Then all joined in singing together with an old time swing to "I am Round for the Promised Land" etc, that fairly rent the air.
It was found also that the name Ernest has a rather peculiar fascination for the race as four Ernest Stroups were there and had their pictures made together. Ernest U. of the police department of Charlotte, Ernest L. of Ranlo, Ernest Q of Dallas, Ernest E of Cherryville, with a number of others known to have the same name but not present. Another spelling to "earnest" denotes a characteristic of this people.
THE CLAN ORGANIZED
A complete organization of the clan as it stands today is as follows: President, R. Stroup, of Crouse; vice president, Arthur Stroup, of Stanley; secretary and treasurer, S. A. Stroup, of Stanley; the working committee, John S. Stroup, of Cherryville; Lake Stroup, probate judge, of Gaffney, S. C.; Ezra Stroup, of Morganton; Collie Stroup, of Pineville: Macon Stroup, of Lowell; Will Stroup, of Hickory; Conrad Stroup, of Mt. Holly.
The first Thursday of August, regardless of what date it may fall upon, is set apart for the annual reunion at this same place, of Mr. Stroup, better known as "Jakie" who has lived here all of his life of 65 years, born and raised right here.
The first re-union was held three years ago with only 17 present, the result of a porch talk among several at the old home place while upon a visit. Last year, the second reunion, there were 127 present with this year, the third reunion held with 1200 or more. What may be expected by another year?
