MARTIN D. AND JANNETT STROPE
Martin D. Strope was born in Rome, Pennsylvania, in 1826 and lived
there until 1865 when he moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, with his wife
Jannett and five children, William W., Alonzo, John, Emma, and
Emily.
In 1879 four covered wagons left Wisconsin and headed for Knox
County, Nebraska, bringing Martin D. Strope, his wife, their five
children, one son-in-law, and one daughter-in-law.
He homesteaded near Walnut which is the Joe Jelinek farm now. The
Sam Browns, the John Stropes, and Emily Strope stayed in Knox County
a few years and then moved to Oregon. Alonzo Strope homesteaded 160
acres and timber claimed 160 acres where Bernard and Lela (Rehm)
Strope now reside.
William W. Strope was married in 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin, to
Ella F. Gerry, who was a native of Massachusetts. Seven children
were born to this union: Ervie and Franklin in Appleton, Wisconsin,
Maud, Burt Jay (who died in infancy,), William Wallace, Merwin, and
Floyd born at Venus and one adopted daughter, Mary.
He had heard of the fortunes to be made in the west where land was
cheap and opportunities were greater than in the east. In 1879 with
his parents, brothers, and sisters he loaded up his goods in a
covered wagon, and with a stout team began the journey to Nebraska,
leaving his wife in Wisconsin for two years because of two small
children. Here he filed a timber claim in 1879 and on a 160 acre
homestead in 1881 in Knox County. His land is the only homestead
that has been continuously owned by the Stropes. In 1881 his wife
and two children came to join him on the homestead, their first
dwelling being a sod house. Mrs. Strope’s parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Benjamin F. Gerry, came to Knox County in 1884 and homesteaded
nearby. Her father froze to death in the blizzard of 1888 while
walking home from the county (Walnut) store.
Mrs. Strope having been a teacher in Wisconsin, taught their home
school (Enterprise) in a sod house. She recalls how she and her
husband sat up many nights twisting hay to be burned at school the
next day. There was no money in the school treasury, so she took her
warrants to Bazile Mills and traded them for lumber, which was used
to build their home.
They continued to farm until 1913, after which they left the
homestead and spent one year in Florida, coming back to Orchard,
Nebraska, in 1914 where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Their son William Wallace graduated from the Nebraska State College
of Agriculture in April of 1911. In 1913 he was united in marriage
to Dora Ickler, daughter of Rudolph and Minnie (Kumm) Ickler of
Mars, Nebraska. He and his bride moved to the homestead vacated by
his parents.
Ten children were born to this union: Bernice, Margaret, Bernard,
Wendell, Elvin, Richard, Leora (deceased), Robert, Merlin, and W.
Wayne.
Wallie, as he was known, managed to save the homestead during the
drought years of the early thirties. Later he was able to purchase
four more 320 acre farms, all adjoining the homestead (except for
160 acres) which are operated by sons.
Wallie served many years as justice of the peace of Walnut Grove
Township. He was also active in school and church activities. He
loved to sing and sang at many funerals in the community. He
continued to live on the homestead until his death on July 4, 1964.
His wife Dora remained on the farm until her death on May 6, 1981.
Merlin, son of Wallie and Dora Strope and grandson of William W.
Strope, now owns and operates the homestead. He was born February
28, 1933. After serving two years in the army, he returned to the
family home to farm. He married Marlene Beutler on October 30, 1956.
To this union four children were born: Terry, Debra, Dennis (who
died at the age of 18), and Julia.
After Merlin’s marriage, a new home was built on the homestead for
his family. The original house, after many additions and much
remodeling, is still occupied by his sister, Bernice Strope.
Pages
409, 410
