William Trowbridge, the leading hardware merchant of Carroll, is located on the corner of Main and Fifth streets. He established the business in 1878, under the firm name of Russell & Trowbridge. This partnership continued about three months, when the illness of Mr. Russell compelled him to retire from the business. Mr. Trowbridge then conducted it alone for a considerable length of time, but the business increased so rapidly that he felt the need of assistance, and consequently sold a half interest to Mr. I. M. Gilley, who retired from the firm in 1885. Since that time Mr. Trowbridge has been alone. His store is a fine brick structure, 27 x 66 feet, two stories in height, with basement. It is a part of the Gilley block. Mr. Trowbridge is one of the early settlers of Carroll, with whose interests he has been identified since 1873. He was engaged in the livery business about one year, and was then employed as clerk in the hardware store of M. A. Hoyt for two years. He clerked for Wetherell Bros. until he went into business for himself. He was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, in 1847. His father, Prosper Trowbridge, died when he was about five years of age. The mother remarried, and the family emigrated to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1856. There was a large family of children, and they were in limited circumstances. William was thrown upon his own resources at the age of eleven years, leaving home at that time. By his own efforts he succeeded in providing for himself and in securing a good English education. In 1852, when the war of the Rebellion had been in progress one year, he determined to enlist, but was refused on account of his youth; but when Company C of the Thirty-second Iowa was organized at Waterloo, although he was not accepted as an enlisted soldier, he succeeded in engaging as cook for the company. He remained with this company for several months, accompanying them as far as Fort Pillow. In 1863 he returned and hired out as a farm hand, and the following winter attended school, working for his board. On the 24th of February, 1864, he succeeded in enlisting by misrepresenting his age. Soon after enlisting he was sent to Davenport to be assigned to a regiment. Being quite small of his age, it was still a question whether he would be formally accepted. But there were a large number of soldiers at Davenport to be disposed of, and as the war advanced the authorities had become less particular as to the age and size of enlisted men, and he got through without much trouble. Having the privilege of selecting his own regiment, he preferred the one he had formerly served with, and rejoined the Thirty-second at the mouth of the Red River, on its return from the disastrous Red River campaign, under Banks. His old comrades were rejoiced to see him, and there was a glad reunion. The Thirty-second was a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by General A. J. Smith. They immediately proceeded up the Mississippi River, and were soon under fire from the Confederate batteries along the river’s bank. The division to which he belonged was landed on the Arkansas side of the river, and they engaged the enemy, doing considerable fighting and skirmishing. This was the first experience of Mr. Trowbridge in actual war, and it was a severe one. He had been anxious to meet the enemy, and he received ample evidence of their fighting qualities. His brigade was ordered to charge a rebel battery. A bayou was between the opposing forces, which was not seen by the Union troops till they approached very near to it. The command thus being unable to approach the enemy’s battery, threw themselves flat upon the ground and fought the best they could, but suffered severe loss. Mr. Trowbridge was armed with an old musket which he succeeded in discharging several times, but soon found a better weapon, taking a gun from a comrade that was killed near him. He served until the close of the war. He took part in the battles of Tupelo and Oldtown Creek, against Forrest, and at the latter engagement, in July, 1864, had a narrow escape, but was uninjured, and soon after returned to Memphis, Tennessee. At this time St. Louis was threatened by General Sterling Price, and the Sixteenth Corps was sent to intercept him. They followed Price to Stone River, undergoing heavy marching, and continued to follow him until they broke up his army. The corps then returned to St. Louis. At this time the election of 1864 took place, and the command stopped to vote. Mr. Trowbridge was not old enough to exercise the right of franchise, and while the voting was going on took the opportunity to go out foraging, accompanied by another boy about his own age. They had a very narrow escape from capture by the enemy. They secured some sweet potatoes and a pair of socks from an old lady whom they interviewed. On their return they captured a hog, which they slaughtered, and loaded down with their plunder were captured by the patrol guard of our army, and taken before General Girard. They escaped with nothing more than a reprimand. At St. Louis they received new clothing and were refreshed. In December, 1864, they were sent to Nashville, joining the army of General Thomas, and taking an active part in the destruction of Hood’s army. They then returned to Eastport, Mississippi, thence to Mobile and New Orleans, where they embarked on ship for Dauphin’s Island, near Mobile. The Sixteenth was here pitted against Fort Blakely, and our subject participated in the charge that resulted in the capture of that fort. The war was now about coming to a close. From Fort Blakely the Sixteenth marched to Montgomery, Alabama. Soon after they started on this march they received news of the assassination of Presidents Lincoln. The time of his regiment had expired, but Mr. Trowbridge having enlisted as a recruit, had yet considerable time to serve, and was transferred to the Eighth Iowa Veterans. In view of his gallantry as a soldier, the men of his company, before the transfer, had elected him Corporal. There was but one vacancy of that office in the new regiment to which he was transferred, and candidates that were equally entitled to the place drew cuts to determine who should go home. That fortune fell upon Corporal Trowbridge, and he was soon after discharged. He returned to Black Hawk County and engaged in farming, following that occupation until he came to Carroll. He was married at Carroll to Miss Ida S. Gilley, daughter of William Gilley, and they have two children — Blanche and Emma. Mr. Trowbridge is a Republican, and a member of the Jeff. C. Davis Post, G.A.R., at Carroll.

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