Trimble, Ross M.

TRIMBLE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 18:19:53

ROSS MALEN TRIMBLE
born Aug 7, 1866, Iowa

R. M. Trimble - The subject of this sketch is the popular young hardware dealer of New Virginia, Warren county, Iowa. Although his identity with the business interests of this place does not yet cover a long period, he is by no means a stranger here, having passed his whole life in Warren county, and having been five years a resident of Virginia township.
Mr. Trimble was born on his father's farm in White Oak township, Warren county, Iowa, August 7, 1866, and was reared to farm life, receiving a common school education, which was supplemented by two years at Simpson College. When he was seventeen he taught the Center school in Squaw township. Afterward he taught the Fairview and other schools in the county, altogether his experience as teacher covering no less than fifteen terms. When not engaged with his school duties he was at home on the farm, and for about five years he had charge of the farming operations, his father and brother during that period being occupied in conducting a store at Liberty Center. He came to New Virginia and purchased the hardware stock of C. S. Carson, and in the business center of the town erected the fine building he now occupies. The building is 22 x 50 feet in dimensions and has an addition 18 x 32 feet. That was in 1894, and in January of the present year (1895) he opened his store and is now doing a fair business. Mr. Trimble's parents are among the pioneers of this portion of Iowa. Enoch Trimble, his father, is a native of Knox county, Ohio, and early in the 60s emigrated from that State to Iowa, locating on a farm in White Oak township, Warren county. Here he was married to Miss Hettie V. Condit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Condit and a native of Ohio. She accompanied her parents to Iowa at an early day, and for a period of about fifteen years was engaged in teaching. She attended the first teachers institute ever held in Warren county, and also she attended the Des Moines institutes. Her first term was in the subscription schools, and on one occasion she accepted as compensation for her service, or rather part compensation, an ox yoke. She and Mr. Trimble were married at the residence of Moses Hewitt. Their union has resulted in the birth of seven children, one daughter and six sons; the subject of our sketch being the eldest. The others in order of birth are as follows: G. S., who conducts a meat market and restaurant in New Virginia; H., a contractor and builder of New Virginia; Nannie, who died at the age of twenty- three years, was the wife of Elmer Workman of Knox county, Ohio; Allen, who died in infancy; Scott, of Mills county Iowa; and Blaine, at home. Enoch Trimble served throughout the war as a member of the First Iowa Cavalry, enlisting at Indianola and receiving his discharge at Davenport, and, like most of the veterans of the civil war, he is identified with that organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of Milo Post, No. 270. He is aggressive in his political views, has long affiliated with the Republican party, and at one time rendered efficient service as Sheriff of Warren county. R. M. Trimble is also a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison. The subject of our sketch was married March 18, 1888, to Miss Inez M. Thompson, a daughter of A. L. Thompson, and a native of Clarke county, this State. They have three children: Elmer, born in 1890; Delbert, 1892; and Ruby, 1894. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.434