J. W. Troutman
 

J. W. TROUTMAN, of Jackson township Boone county, Ind., was born in Somerset county, Pa., August 6, 1817, and is the son of Benjamin and Katy Troutman. His paternal ancestors came originally from Germany, in which country his great-great-grandfather, William Troutman, was born. The latter came from his native country many years ago and settled in Berks county, Pa., where his death afterward occurred, Peter Troutman, son of the above William and the grandfather of J. W., was born in the province of Baden, Germany, and, came with his father to the new world before the war of independence, in which struggle he took an active part in the army of Gen. Washington. He married and reared the following children: Benjamin, Jacob, John, Elizabeth, Rachel and Phoenie. Peter Troutman was by occupation a carpenter and afterward became a successful farmer; he died in the above county and state at the age of ninety-six years. Benjamin Troutman, son of Peter and father of the subject of this biography, was born in Berks county, Pa., and there married Sarah Wolgamott, a native of Martinsburg, Va., daughter of Solomon Wolgamott. which union resulted in the birth of the following children: Rachel, Elizabeth, George, Joseph, John, Mary, Tenie Isaac, Nancy, Daniel, Emanuel, Adam, Sarah and Harriet. Benjamin Troutman was a mechanic and worked for a number of years at the gunsmiths' trade He was popular in the community where he lived. subscribed liberally to church and other moral and religious purposes, took an active part in politics as an old-line whig, and departed this life in his native county and state at the age of eighty years; his wife lived to be seventy-eight years old. J. W. Troutman, while quite young, learned to work on the farm and later turned his naturally fine mechanical skill to good account as a carpenter and Blacksmith. He married, in Bedford county, Pa., December 31, 1837, Elisabeth Miller, daughter of John and Catharine (Wilhelm) Miller, a union which was terminated by the death of Mrs. Troutman on the seventh of December, 1893. Mrs. Troutman was a lady of deep religious convictions, an earnest church worker, and her whole life was fraught with good deeds and charitable acts, and she died lamented by all who knew her. In 1861, October 15, Mr. Troutman responded to the country's call for volunteers and enlisted in company F, Fortieth Indiana infantry, with which he served until July of the following year. He was with his command in the bloody battle of Shiloh and other engagements, and saw much active service during the brief period of his enlistment. He was promoted corporal of his company and at one time was made color-bearer, a position of much honor and still more danger, as it made him a conspicuous mark for the enemy's bullets. He contracted a chronic ailment in the army, and while at Indianapolis accidentally stepped off a platform, so injuring his ankle as to render its amputation necessary. At the termination of his period of military service Mr. Troutman returned to Boone county, and has since that time been one of the prominent citizens of Jackson township. He is a member of Antietam post, No. 167, G. A. R., and is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Hazlerigg lodge, No. 200, of which he is a charter member. Socially, he occupies a conspicuous place in the estimation of his fellow citizens. And in every relation of life has proved himself an intelligent and honorable gentleman.

Transcribed by: Chris Brown
Source: "A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," pp 503-504, published in 1895 by A. W. Bowen & CO. Chicago