ANDREW M. TROUTMAN
A
native of Ohio, Andrew M. Troutman came to Lucas county, Iowa,
before the advent of the railroads and has since engaged in
agricultural pursuits here with such good success that he has
become one of the foremost and wealthy agriculturists of Lucas
county, holding title to eight hundred acres of choice land in
Union township, upon which are four sets of modern
improvements. His
career is an example of what industry and perseverance will
accomplish and may well serve to be taken as a model of the
young man of today who wants to succeed in life. Born in Highland
county, Ohio, June 26, 1842, Mr. Troutman is seventy-ones
years of age but yet hale and hearty and actively looking
after his extensive interests.
The
parents of Andrew M. Troutman were George Washington and
Hannah (McClelland) Troutman, natives of Pennsylvania. They came west to
Iowa with their son Andrew in 1854 and settled in Van Buren
county, Iowa. Among
our subject’s ancestors were some of the famous Indian
fighters of Pennsylvania, and he is still in possession of a
tomahawk which was secured from the Indians at the time of the
founding of Hagerstown, Maryland, by one of the early members
of the Troutman family and which dates from 1632. Both the father and
mother passed away in Van Buren county, where they were highly
respected as early pioneers.
In their family were nine children: John, deceased;
Mrs. Julia Wright, who has also passed away; Andrew M., of
this review; George, deceased; Mrs. Priscilla Easly, of
Peoria, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Coolidge, of Los Angeles,
California; William, who passed away in California; Mrs.
Margaret Elerick, of Oklahoma; and Frank, who makes his home
in Florida. All
of these children were born in Ohio with the exception of the
youngest, who is a native of Iowa.
Andrew M. Troutman was reared under the parental roof and at the age of twelve years was brought by his parents to Iowa, where he settled with them on this father’s farm in Van Buren county. The wonderful stories of gold discoveries in the west led him some time later to cross the plains in search of the yellow metal and, although he was but moderately successful, he secured a competence while in the western country. Returning to Iowa, he followed farming in Van Buren county and also became a member of the Home Guards of southern Iowa. He subsequently settled in Union township, where he has since resided. He can still recall the times before the advent of the railroads when corn was sold at ten cents a bushel and takes delight in telling how after their coming the demand was so great that the price rose to one dollar. With the exception of three years spent in the mines in the west he has ever been a resident of Iowa since coming from Ohio. His incessant industry and close application and his thorough methods have brought him results and he owns today eight hundred acres of the most fertile land in Union township, upon which can be found four sets of improvements. All of his buildings are in the best of repair and his land is thoroughly cultivated, proper fertilization and rotation of crops maintaining its fertility. Mr. Troutman still has in his possession besides the tomahawk which has been in his father’s family for many years a carpenter’s handsaw which is older than himself and which was used by some of the first pioneers in the section, while he also owns the broadax which was used in erecting the first mill in this state.
In
1869, Mr. Troutman was united in marriage to Miss Martha
Westfall, a native of this state, born in Monroe county on
October 29, 1849. When
but two weeks old she was brought by her parents to Union
township and she enjoys the distinction of being the oldest
living settler therein.
She is a daughter of Granville and Jeannette (Teal)
Westfall, natives of Virginia, both of whom later removed to
Union township, where they passed away. In their family
were fourteen children, of whom Mrs. Troutman is the oldest
and of whom eight are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Troutman became the parents
of nine children, all of whom were born in Lucas county: Mrs. Mary
Courtright, who was born January 13, 1870, and who is now a
resident of Colorado Springs; Mrs. Jessie Connor, who was born
November 14, 1871, and died June 8, 1901; Maggie, who was born
April 24, 1873, and passed away on October 28, 1898; Flora,
who was born March 9, 1877, and who died on October 15, 1895;
Mac A., who was born October 12, 1883, and who died February
17, 1913; Don G., who was born May 23, 1887, and who died
October 31, 1904; George L., who was born June 10, 1889, and
who resides with his parents on the home farm in Union
township; and Verna, born May 17, 1893, also at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Troutman is a democrat and keeps well informed upon the issues that affect the government. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Union township. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen of Derby. Ever enterprising and progressive, Mr. Troutman has been a forceful factor in promoting agricultural interests in Lucas county and especially Union township and today enjoys high esteem and respect, to which he is entitled not only for what he has personally attained but for what he has done in furthering the general advancement. He is ever ready to support any worthy public cause and is loyal to his county and township.