My Genealogy Hound

DAVID T. TRUITT. No family of Milton Township has been more intimately associated with its growth, or contributed more largely to its development, than that of which the subject of our sketch is an honored member. His father, Peter Truitt, was the “father” of the township, and named it Milton in honor of his early Delaware home. Further mention is made of this worthy pioneer on another page of this volume, in the biographical sketch of James M. Truitt.

Peter Truitt was four times married, David T. being the fourth child born of the first marriage. He was born in Sussex County, Del., June 19, 1826, and was a child of five years when he accompanied his father to Michigan in 1831, settling on a farm in Cass County. In that early day educational advantages were limited to such schooling as could be obtained in the rude log houses, where the mode of instruction was scarcely less primitive than the building itself. While Mr. Truitt, therefore, had few opportunities for acquiring an education, he nevertheless became well informed, as he has always been a thoughtful reader and close observer. At the age of twenty-one he entered Albion College, and for one and one-half years prosecuted his studies there with the utmost diligence.

In 1852, stirred by the wonderful gold excitement in California, Mr. Truitt crossed the plains wish a team and, arriving at his destination, engaged in mining for two years. He then purchased twenty packing mules and conveyed freight from Carson City to Jacksonville, Sterling and Eureka. In addition to that enterprise, he also traded in groceries and produce. In 1858, after six successful years, he returned home via the Isthmus of Panama to New York City, and thence by railroad to Michigan, where he resumed his farming operations in Cass County.

The marriage of Mr. Truitt occurred in February, 1861, and united him with Miss Agnes Lovett, who was born and reared in New York, being the daughter of James and Emeline Lovett. After his marriage Mr. Truitt located on his present homestead, where he has one hundred and fifty acres of as good land as is to be found in that county. For many years he engaged in teaching school both in New York and Michigan, having taught in Cass County and in Adrian, this State. As a teacher he was quite successful, and introduced into his schools many of the methods that are now in general use.

In political belief, Mr. Truitt voted the Democratic ticket for forty years or more, but now gives his influence and ballot to the cause of Prohibition. He is a strong temperance man, and has never used tobacco in any form. A devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he has served as Trustee, and aided in the erection of the church of that denomination here. His wife is also a member of that church, and has for many years been a teacher in the Sunday-school. Although not opposed to secret organizations, he is not identified with any at the present time. He is a man of decided opinions and strong convictions, and when resolved upon his course of action allows nothing to swerve him from the path of duty.