Edward Delhonde Ropes was born on April 3, 1838, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Timothy (1797-1873) and Mary (Silver) Ropes. He attended local schools and in 1853, accepted a position with a Boston commission house. In the next year he joined John Bertram's firm and soon left for East Africa on one of the firm's vessels. Ropes continued in the Zanzibar trade for over a decade, serving as acting consul on the island during 1859 to 1860 and as consul from 1865 to 1867. During the latter period Ropes worked successfully to rebuild the war-damaged American position. Poor health caused Ropes to return to Salem in 1867. He never returned to East Africa, although he remained a member of the Bertram organization until John Bertram's death in 1882. He then became a principal partner of the successor firm, Ropes, Emmerton and Company.

Ropes married Mary Goodhue (1840-1915) of Salem in 1862 and they had a son, Edward D. Ropes, Jr. Ropes died in Salem on August 8, 1902 of stomach cancer.

Edward D. Ropes was born on September 5, 1864, in Salem, Massachusetts, to Edward D. (1838-1902) and Mary (Goodhue) (1840-1915) Ropes. He was educated in Salem's public schools. After graduating from high school at age 17, he went to Zanzibar to work for John Bertram's agency. He left Zanzibar in March 1885 at the expiration of his original contract. He returned in July 1886 as the firm's chief agent at age 22. He left Zanzibar for Salem sometime in 1889, but he was appointed as American consul in mid-1890 and returned to Zanzibar. He was forced to leave Zanzibar for the last time in February 1892 due to ill health.

In Salem, he entered the employ of Arnold, Cheney and Company, the successor firm to Arnold, Hines, and Company. Later Ropes worked for William E. Hutton and Company, a firm of New York brokers. Poor health increasingly plagued him and he died in Salem on October 30, 1903.