82nd ANNUAL STROUP(E) REUNION

82nd ANNUAL STROUP(E) REUNION
Descendents of Johann Jacob Straub / Stroup
Alexis, Gaston County, North Carolina
August 7, 2011


The annual Stroup(e) Reunion was held on Sunday, August 7 in the gym of the Family Life Center of Alexis Baptist Church in Alexis, Gaston County, North Carolina. Approximately 124 family and friends attended this year. This was the 82nd reunion held in Alexis since 1925, with a 4-year interruption due to World War II.

Nancy Quesada, President of the Reunion, called the reunion to order at 1:00pm and welcomed everyone to the annual event. Nancy provided opening remarks, asked that each person “meet and greet” those at their dinner table and that each attendee officially register in our Reunion Book. Those agreeing to an “email invite” to next year’s reunion were asked to note “Yes” next to their name. The officers are hopeful that we can move slowly to electronic invitations in the future which will save our treasury funds. Note: we will continue to mail paper invitations if we don’t have your email address or if you prefer a mailed invitation.

As is tradition, the first order of business was to take group pictures: one picture of those attending who carry the Stroup(e) surname by birth (39 attendees, from the register) and another picture of the entire family. Special “thanks” to Jim McNabb, Rita Quesada-Rodgers, Linda Moss Ballard and others for acting as “family photographers”.

Susan Stroupe Laughter gave the invocation, which was followed by a bountiful, ”covered dish” meal, fit for a Stroup(e)! Fresh cooked vegetables, meats, casseroles, pies, cakes, cookies … Thanks to everyone for participating!

Following lunch, Nancy led the business session, starting around 2:00pm:
1. The minutes from the 2010 Reunion, including the financial report, were read and approved, upon motion made by Bill Stroupe, and seconded by Tim Stroupe.
2. Recognition.
a. Martha Hipp Daniel has resigned as Secretary/Treasurer of the Reunion, a position she has held since 1995. Her dedication and efforts in support of this long-standing event are too numerous to list. A token of our appreciation will be forwarded to Martha in the next few days. Thank you Martha!
b. Nancy publicly thanked our hard-working and dependable “set-up” committee, comprised of Alan and Maria Hipp and Daphna Stroupe Shelton. Their efforts are key to our hosting such a large, successful reunion each year.
c. Robert Edward “Bob” Stroupe’s 88th Birthday. Nancy led the group in singing a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday”. Bob is a first-time attendee from Colfax and descends from Jacob’s son, Philip Stroup.
3. Collection. Alan and Maria Hipp passed the collection plate through the crowd. Following the collection and payment of this year’s expenses, the balance on hand for 2012 is $562.29.
4. The abbreviated “Straub/Stroup Family History” was read by Reunion Vice-President, Sid Stroupe.
5. History Committee Report. Sid Stroupe, speaking on behalf of our history committee comprised of Mike Stroupe, Linda Moss Ballard and himself, provided an update on several significant accomplishments this past year:
a. “Descendents of Jacob Stroup and the US Civil War”. A 90 page booklet, documenting the descendents (grandsons/ggrandsons) of Jacob Stroup who participated in the US Civil War, Confederate States Army. It will be submitted to several of the local museums (Gaston and Lincoln County, Stanley, Cherryville) as well as to the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh. The booklet can be obtained by contacting a History Committee member.
b. “Stroup Family Cemeteries of Gaston County”. Another booklet, of about 25 pages, documents the Stroup family ancestors who are buried (circa 19th Century) in the four private, abandoned cemeteries in the Alexis and Cherryville areas. Each cemetery has been inventoried, a brief bio of the deceased has been written and color photos (when available) of all legible grave markers are included. The booklet was used during this year’s tour of the graveyards. It will also be presented to the local museums and to the State Archives for its collection and can be obtained from the History Committee.
c. The annual Stroup Cemetery Tour, preceding this year’s reunion, at 10:00am was a resounding success this year. Approximately 30 people toured three of the four cemeteries.
d. A request was made for volunteers to clean the abandoned Stroup cemeteries. Subsequent to the reunion, Mike Mullins, son of Carolyn Fogle Mullins, volunteered to participate in this endeavor.
e. As a reminder the committee has created and maintains several Stroup websites that may be of interest:
i. Ancestry.Com: “Jacob Straub/Stroup Descendents”. Over 4,000 Stroup(e)s are recorded as descendents of Jacob Stroup. Make sure you and your families are documented! The site is not open to the general public (for security purposes); you’ll need a link to visit the site. Contact Mike or Sid.
ii. Blog: Open to join. We are attempting to post all milestones (births, deaths, marriages) and family stories at this site. Contribute, please! “Jacob Stroup Family”: http://jacobstroupfamily.blogspot.com/
iii. Website, Mike Stroupe, “Stroup Family”
http://www.stroupfamily.com/
iv. Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Jacob_Stroup_Family/
f. A distant cousin, Diana Gale Matthiesen, has created a tremendous website, chocked full of very old family history: “Johann Jacob Straub / Stroup”: http://dgmweb.net/FGS/Stro/StroupJacob-MariaFrensch-Catherine_-NancyHambright.html
g. DNA Project: At least two males in our local family have participated in the Straub/Stroup DNA project, through Family Tree DNA. Both gentlemen “match” the lineage of the Straub family. This test has solidified our genetic link to the Straubs of Germany rather than to Matthias Stroope of Holland. If you would like to participate in DNA testing, contact Mike or Sid.
h. This year many folks brought their old family albums, photos and documents to this reunion. Thank You! We welcome any descendent who wishes to share their mementos at the annual reunion.
i. The History Committee is committed to freely and widely distributing all Stroup family history, including booklets, old documents and photos. Also the committee will create a “lineage / family tree” document (free of charge) for any descendent. Just contact a member by email or phone.


6. Milestones since our last Reunion:
a. Deceased:
i. Ronnie Ray Stroupe, age 53 of Morganton, 16 Aug, 2009;
Jacob > Adam > Solomon > David Chuza > George Oscar > Bonnie Portland > Harvey Agee > Ronnie Ray
ii. Wayne Ladell Stroupe, age 60 of Charlotte, 12 May 2010;
Jacob > Philip > Jonas > Wesley W > Silas L > Beeler Dewey > Winford Ladell > Wayne
iii. Carter McElwee Stroupe, age 27 of Greensboro, 8 Jul 2010;
Jacob > Michael > Benjamin Franklin > Archibald Cathey > William Benjamin > McElwee Monroe > Edward McElwee > Carter
iv. Edna Rae Stroupe Taylor, age 94 of Cleveland NC, 11 Sept 2010;
Jacob > Adam > Solomon > David Chuza > George Oscar > Edna Rae
v. Helen Louise Hipp Groner, age 94 of Belmont, 12 Sept 2010;
Jacob > Philip > Moses > Bartlett > Joanna Ellen Stroupe Hipp > Louise
vi. Lehman Darrell Stroup, age 78 of Kings Mountain, 30 Oct 2010;
Jacob > Daniel > Matthew Wallace > Matthew W Jr > Milton Columbus > David Augustus > Darrell
vii. Nellie James Stroupe, age 90 of Hamlet, 2 Nov 2010;
Jacob > Adam > Solomon > Andrew Jackson > Solomon Augustus > Carl Morris > Nellie
viii. Jim David “Uncle Jim” Stroup, age 86 of Asheville, 12 Nov 2010;
Jacob > Daniel > Matthew Wallace > Ephriam Daniel > Alfred Isaiah > “Jim
ix. Orin Good Fogle, age 86 of Gainesville Florida, 13 Jan 2011;
Jacob > Philip > Moses > Bartlett > William Sherman > Mattie May Stroup Fogle > Orin
x. Linda Carol Stroupe Clarke, age 60 of Lincolnton, 20 Jan 2011;
Jacob > Michael > Jesse Isaac > Wesley C > Wiley W > Luther Wesley > James Walter > Linda
xi. Benjamin “Dick” Shelton, age 82 of Alexis, 29 Jan 2011;
Husband of Daphna Ruth Stroupe Shelton
xii. Ruby Charles Stroup Dale, age 95 of Morganton, 3 Feb 2011;
Jacob > Adam > Solomon > David Chuza > Ezra Andrew > Ruby Stroup Dale
xiii. Janie Ophelia Stroupe, age 90 of Cherryville, 23 Feb 2011;
Jacob > Daniel > Albert Abner > John Michael > John Wilburn > “Aunt Janie”
xiv. Floyd Tew Stroupe, age 85 of Monroe, 26 Feb 2011;
Jacob > Daniel > Albert Abner > Christopher > John Christopher > Samuel Foster > Floyd
xv. Flora Kay Stroupe Huneycutt, age 95 of Valdese, 2 Mar 2011;
Jacob > Daniel > Jacob Cephus > Adam Wesley > John Wesley > Kay
xvi. Helen Lavon Stroupe, age 95 of New York City & Lincolnton, 22 Mar 2011;
Jacob > Philip > Moses > Caleb > Marcus Cornelius > John Dewitt > Helen
xvii. Francis McElwee Stroupe, age 88 of Clinton, SC, 6 May 2011,
Jacob > Michael > Benjamin Franklin > Archibald Cathey > William Benjamin > McElwee Monroe > Francis McElwee
xviii. David Cornelius Stroupe, brother of Floyd Tew Stroup, age 83 also of Monroe, 7 Jul 2011;
Jacob > Daniel > Albert Abner > Columbus > John Christopher > Samuel Foster > David
xix. Herman Clarence Stroup, age 71 of Crouse, 10 Aug 2011;
Jacob > Daniel > Albert Abner > Columbus > John Christopher > Howard Columbus > Herman

b. Births, 2011:
i. Kinley Grace Stroupe, July, daughter of Angel Stroupe
ii. Yates Reese, February, daughter of Josh and Sarah Reese

c. Marriages, 2011:
i. Dana Ann Stroup Garcia, daughter of Hank and Frances Stroup of Raleigh.
ii. Lauren Michele Hipp Hundley, daughter of Mike and Ruth Hipp of Alexis.


7. Election of Officers for term 2011-2012
a. President. Nancy Quesada of Austin Texas was nominated for re-election as President. Motion made by E.C. Clippard. Second by Tim Stroupe. Group unanimous vote “yes”.
b. Vice President. Motion by Sid Stroupe to nominate Jim Stroupe of Winston-Salem. E.C. Clippard seconded. Group unanimous vote “yes”.
c. Secretary-Treasurers. Sid Stroupe was nominated by Nancy Quesada. Tim Stroupe seconded nomination. Group unanimous vote “yes”. Cindy Stroup of Arlington Virginia volunteered to assist Sid this year
d. Family Historian. Mike Stroupe of Rock Hill, South Carolina nominated by E.C. Clippard, Tim Stroupe seconded. Group unanimous vote “yes”.
e. History Committee. Three attendees - David Bartlett Hanna of Charlotte, Carolyn Fogle Mullins of Panama City Beach, Florida and Nancy Stroupe Morrison of Greeneville, Tennessee - volunteered to join the committee. They joint current members Mike Stroupe of Rock Hill, Sid Stroupe of Durham and Linda Moss Ballard of Cherryville.

8. Recognition, Door Prizes and Other. “Runners” for delivering the prizes were Jonathan & Audrey Hanna, grandchildren of David and Marsha Hanna and great-grandchildren of the late Connor Bartlett Stroupe.
a. Oldest Woman: Jimmie McClure Stroupe of Alexis, Age 92 years.
b. Oldest Man: Homer A. Orren of Cornelius, Age 92 years.
c. Youngest Boy: Jonathan Hanna of Sanford, Age 8 years
d. Youngest Girl: Kinley Grace Stroupe of Drexel, Age 5 weeks.
e. Traveled Farthest: Jim McNabb, from Austin Texas (1,150 miles)
f. Door Prizes: Steve Snyder of Morganton, Susan Stroupe Laughter of Hickory, Marsha Hanna of Charlotte, Dustin Holbrooke of Morganton, and Lydia Stroup Sargent of Gastonia.

With the business meeting closed, the Reunion was adjourned.

The next Stroup(e) Family Reunion meeting will be held, as is custom, on the first Sunday in August, 2012.

Hope to see you then.

Submitted

Sid Stroupe
Sid Stroupe CPA, Secretary / Treasurer