AUTHORS: Sid Stroupe and Mike Stroupe
Research conducted in 2010 and 2011 reveals that at least 75 males carrying the Stroup surname — all direct descendants of Jacob Stroup—served with the Confederate Army, representing five southern states: North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. Of the total, over 20 Stroup men and boys (or nearly a third of them) died while in service. These three men survived.
Albert Abner “Ab” Stroup 1819-1899
When the Civil War started, Albert Abner “Ab” Stroup was a farmer in Gaston County. He and his wife Lydia Baker Stroup raised a large family of seven children on their farm, south of Cherryville, very near Shady Grove Baptist Church. In his early 40s, Ab Stroup enlisted with the Home Guard in Gaston County. He served as a private; 87th, North Carolina Militia, Company 11. Two of his children, Columbus and J.J., also served in the Confederate Army.
Abner was officially recognized as a CSA Veteran in 2003 by the efforts of his great-great-grandson Tony Stroupe. A formal ceremony to commemorate Abner’s service was conducted on July 13, 2003 at Abner’s grave in Mount Zion Cemetery, north of Cherryville.
Abner Stroup’s service with the White Pine (later Cherryville) Home Guard was documented by Mr. Black, a prominent Cherryville citizen and a veteran of the Guard.
Christopher “Columbus” Stroup 1844-1928
At age 18 years and 3 months, on August 12, 1862, Christopher “Columbus” Stroup enlisted for three years at Statesville, Iredell County, N.C. He served as a private in Company H, 37th Infantry Regiment, North Carolina. In his military records, he was described as 5’7” tall with a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. His occupation was listed as “farmer.”
Columbus was “present and accounted for” during the late autumn and early winter of 1862. On December 13, 1862, Columbus Stroup was shot and wounded in his right hand at the “Battle of Fredericksburg” Virginia. He was admitted to the hospital in Richmond on December 16th.
In April of 1863 Columbus was again admitted in the General Hospital at Camp Winder, Richmond. Columbus returned to active duty on 23 May 1863. He received payment from the Confederate Army in early 1864 for duty ($11.73), sustenance ($12.95) and clothing ($6.00).
Columbus Stroup was honorably discharged on 22 January 1864, on a “Surgeons Certificate,” due to the gunshot wound he suffered at Fredericksburg. [Other Information: “Civil War NC Soldiers Application for Pension” filed in July 1905. Approved]
Columbus was a life-long farmer in the “panhandle area” of Gaston County, living to age 84. He married Catharine Cathleen Pasour (1838 – 1906) and they raised seven children. He is buried at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, off Highway 279, southwest of Cherryville.
Joseph Jason “J.J.” Stroup 1846-1928
On May 25, 1863, Joseph Jason “J.J.” Stroup enlisted in the North Carolina Junior Reserves, at Camp Holmes, near Raleigh at age “17 years, 1 month and 25 days.” J.J. was described as 5’8” tall with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark hair. His occupation was listed as “farmer.” J.J. served as a private under the command of Captain J.Q. Holland in Company C, 2nd Regiment of the NC Junior Reserves. On May 27, 1864, under the command of Colonel John H. Anderson, he was mustered into service. Much of the movement and fighting for the Junior Reserves took place in Eastern North Carolina.
At the war’s conclusion, J.J. returned to his family home, south of Cherryville, near present-day Shady Grove Baptist Church. He and his wife Susan Clarice Farris Stroup (1852 – 1909) raised a large family there. J.J. was reportedly quite a shrewd businessman and became a large land-owner. In the “Civil War NC Soldiers Application for Pension” filed June 1911, he was disallowed from his pension since his “personal wealth exceeded the maximum allowed ($500.00)” (Civil War NC Soldiers Application for Pension, June 1914). J.J. died in 1928 and is buried at Shady Grove Cemetery, south of Cherryville.