TOPE FAMILY PAGE

       Robert Jacob TOPE, son of Robert Jacob Tope and Retta Mae Gould, was born 20 November 1858 in Carroll Co., Ohio [note 2].  He died 12 December 1937 in Tuscarawas, Co., Ohio and was buried about 15 December 1937 in Scio, Harrison Co., Ohio [note 3].  Robert married Retta Mae GOULD on 26 April 1883 in Dell Roy, Carroll Co., Ohio.  Retta was born 9 October 1858 in Alliance, Stark Co., Ohio [note 1].  She died 3 February 1935 in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio [note 4]. She was buried about 6 February 1935 in Scio, Harrison Co., Ohio.

Retta may have been given the name consisting only of initials the "RST" at birth; a Resta already was in the family.  Retta was raised in New Rumley, Carroll Co., Ohio, possibly by her mother's brother and sister after her mother died, although some sources say it was her father's brother and sister (note 5).  Her name was changed by them to Retta.  Retta was three or four years of age at the time her mother's death.

After "giving up housekeeping," Robert and Retta would visit each child for four months of the year.  Summer months were spent at Lake Erie and Christmas was in Zoar.  Ironically, both died while visiting daughter, Frona, and her husband, Howard [note 6].

They had three children:

1. Charles H. TOPE, born 27 February 1884 in Dell Roy, Carroll Co., Ohio, and died 28 April 1959 in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Co., Florida [note 7].  Charles and his wife, Pearl E., were married about 1904 in Scio, Harrison Co., Ohio.  Pearl was born 16 May 1885 in Ohio [note 7], and died before 1963 in Hamilton Co., Ohio.  Charles and Pearl did not have children.  While they lived in Ohio, Charles was a Postmaster at Loraine, Ohio.
3. Loren Robert TOPE was born in Dell Roy, Carroll Co., Ohio 28 February 1892, and died 6 October 1949 in Charleroi, Washington Co., Pennyslvania [note 8].  He married Myrtle about 1912 in Ohio and had one child:
4. 1. Catherine TOPE born 29 November 1912 in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and died 11 January 1979 in Charleroi, Washington Co., Pennsylvania [note 8].  She married Edward MICHENER about 1933 in Charleroi, Washington Co., Pennsylvania.  He was born about 1913, and died 2 November 1969 [note 8]
   2. Barbara Jean TOPE was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. "Bobby Girl" married Glen P. SCHEDIN about 1951 in Charleroi, Washington Co., Pennsylvania. Glen is the inventor of "through the hole" soldering technique used in the manufacture of computer boards.
5. Frona Bell TOPE was born 29 June 1894 in Dell Roy, Carroll Co., Ohio; died 10 November 1992 in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio.  She was buried in East Avenue Cemetery, New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio.  Frona married Howard Roy STURM, Sr., who was born on 29 June 1894, and died in 13 July 1970, being buried 17 July 1970 in East Avenue Cemetery, New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio [note 9].
   
   They had three children [note 10]:
   1. Howard Roy STURM, Jr. born 25 February 1919 in Zoar, Tuscarawas, Ohio and died at his home 21 January 1982 in Hebron, Wicomico, Maryland.  Howard was known to have wed at least five times, and had ten children: Terry Lee, Mark Joseph, Marsha Ellen, David Lynn, Timothy Daniel, Dale Lee, Rhonda Beth, Theresa Ann, Andrew Howard, and Joanette Irene.
   2. Richard Lee STURM born 24 January 1923 and died 19 February 1923. Both events occurred in Zoar, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio.
   3. Mary Louise STURM wed Robert Edward Miltenberger and had John Wayne, Sandra Kay, Linda Sue and Jane Louise. "Mary Lou" still resides in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Notes: Additional information on this page was received by email from Joanette Saba-Sturm, November 8, 2000; click on link to return

1. Melancthon Tope, History of the Tope Family, p. 36 (used with permission).
2. Frona Bell Tope Sturm's datebook.
3. Ohio Death Index, Vol. 8657, Certificate 79537.
4. Ohio Death Index, Vol. 7756, Certificate 1344.
5. Retta's sister, Oralyn, was raised by their mother's brother, according to Oralyn's obituary.
6. Mary Louise Sturm Miltenberger, 2000 to Joanette Saba-Sturm.
7. Frona Bell Tope Sturm's datebook.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Email, Joanette Saba-Sturm, 1/21/01, 10:09 PM.

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