FRANK TROUT, b 1 Jan 1832

TROUT, MEASEY, FISHER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 1/24/2005 at 14:53:07

Frank Trout, a wealthy citizen of Maquoketa, was formerly extensively engaged as a carpenter and builder, and many of the finest buildings in this city attest his skill in that line, and are monuments to his workmanship. He now lives in retirement in one of the pleasantest homes in this metropolis, and is truly honored and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is a native of Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County being the place of his birth, and Jan. 1, 1832, the date of that important event in his life. It is uncertain whether his grandfather, Jacob Trout, was born in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, but it is known that in the latter State he carried on the trade of a blacksmith for many years, and spent his last days in Berks County.

The father of our subject, John Trout, was born in New Jersey, was reared by his maternal grandparents, and at the age of nine years was set to work in a woolen mill to learn to make cloth. He followed that trade as a journey worker for several years, and then bought a mill in Schuylkill County, and later building a large mill continued the manufacture of cloth many years. In 1854 he sold all his interests in that business in the East, and coming to Jackson County, invested some of his capital in land a mile and a half southwest of Maquoketa, and carried on farming some years. He then retired to Maquoketa, and lived here until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was a person of rare enterprise, and in his business, which he conducted by the most honorable methods, displayed good judgment and sound sense, and was enabled to accumulate a comfortable property. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Measey, was born in Berks County, Pa. She is still living in Maquoketa, and has attained the venerable age of eighty-four years. There were twelve children born of her marriage, eight of whom grew to maturity.

The subject of this sketch was the sixth child of his parents, and was reared to his seventeenth year in his native county. He then accompanied his father to Lebanon County, and assisted him on a farm until he was eighteen. He then went to Harrisburg, and served two and one-half years to learn the trade of a joiner and carpenter. After acquiring a thorough knowledge of his chosen calling in all its details he did journey work in Pennsylvania two years. In 1852 he proceeded westward as far as Ohio, and found employment as a carpenter in Circleville, Pickaway County, remaining there actively engaged until 1855. In that year he came to Iowa, by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Davenport, and thence by stage to Maquoketa, that being the most convenient route at that time. In 1856 he went to Davenport, and the following two years carried on his trade there very profitably. In 1858 he was seized with the gold fever, and purchasing two yoke of oxen, started for Pike's Peak, and had journeyed far into the interior of Nebraska when he met several parties returning from the lately discovered gold fields with very discouraging accounts of the hardships which they had encountered in their vain search for the precious metal, and he wisely decided to retrace his steps. He crossed the Missouri River at Plattsmouth on his outward journey, and on his return visited Nebraska City, both of those places being then but small hamlets. He sold his outfit in the latter city, and proceeding down the Missouri River to St. Louis, established himself at his trade there, and on the breaking out of the war in 1861 he returned to Maquoketa, and has ever since been a resident of this city. He was for many years actively and extensively engaged as a builder and also as a trader, but in May, 1885, retired to private life, having accumulated a sufficient amount of property to yield him an income ample to supply all his wants.

To the lady who presides over his cozy home, and renders it attractive to their numerous friends, Mr. Trout was united in marriage in 1864. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed by the birth of one son, George Franklin. Mrs. Trout's maiden name was Louisa Fisher, and she was born in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, the daughter of Peter Fisher.

Mr. Trout is thoroughly respected for those traits of character that mark him an honest man and a good citizen. He is a man of genial manners, and has a good fund of general information, as in his journeyings to and fro he has been a keen observer of men and events. He has been quite an extensive traveler, and at various times has visited Florida, Alabama, California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and other states. He has witnessed with great pleasure the rapid setting up of this western country, and can relate many interesting stories of pioneer times. The first time that he attempted to cross the plains on his way to the Rockies, buffaloes, antelopes and deer were plenty, and large droves were encountered. Mr. Trout is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, believing that its policy is the best for the interests of the country.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)