M. S. Roop, contractor and builder, No. 520 East Broadway, has been a resident of Council Bluffs since 1878. He was born in Fulton County, Ohio, May 16, 1851, son of John and Mary (Mills) Roop, natives of Pennsylvania, and descendants of the old Dutch settlers of that State. When he was four years old his parents moved to Carson City, Michigan, where he was reared and educated in the public schools. When a mere lad of twelve or thirteen he entered a sash, door and blind factory, in which he worked for a number of years. He was subsequently employed in the lumber, shingles and lath business. In January, 1878, he came to Council Bluffs, and has since been identified with the best interests of this city. His parents have since died, the father at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother at the age of seventy-eight.

After coming to this city Mr. Roop has been variously employed. He spent some time in Nebraska in the stock business. In 1884 he engaged in milling, and previous to that time, for two or three years, he was in the second-hand merchandise business. In 1887 he turned his attention to contracting and building, which he has since followed. In connection with this business he also keeps a quantity of, and is prepared to manufacture, all kinds of bee supplies, such as bee veils, comb foundations, hives, honey knives, smokers, etc.

Mr. Roop resides at No. 320 Oak Avenue. He was married at Carson City, Michigan, in January, 1874, to Nellie J. Dolson, who was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, in March, 1851. They have four children: Cortez Leo, Francis Ethel, Miles Archie and Raymond Wilber. Mrs. Roop is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a Republican.