My Genealogy Hound

HARRISON TROUTMAN. We take pleasure in presenting to our readers an outline of the life of Mr. Troutman, who, although deceased, is well remembered by the residents of Seneca County, and more especially by the citizens of the town of Fayette, as he was one of its enterprising and energetic inhabitants. He was born in Albany Township, Berks County, Pa., May 10, 1825, to Solomon and Susan (Moyer) Troutman. When two years old he was brought by his parents to this state and county. His father, who was in limited circumstances, rented land and moved from place to place for many years. To his son, our subject, he gave a fair common-school education, and as Harrison was the next to the youngest in a large family of nine children, he was early compelled not only to make his own way in the world, but to aid in the support of the other members of the household.

In early life Harrison Troutman learned the trade of a carpenter, and this he followed until 1882. In 1857 he purchased ten acres of land, and on this he established his father and mother, who were then well advanced in years. He continued to live with them on this property until August, 1869, when occurred the demise of his father, his mother having died previously, in May, 1865.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Susan Biery, of Fayette, was celebrated February 10, 1863. This lady was born January 9, 1841, and was the daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Ruch) Biery, both natives of Pennsylvania. In addition to working at his trade, Mr. Troutman rented a farm, which he cultivated for a few years and then abandoned in order to devote his attention to fruit-raising, planting apple, peach and pear trees in large numbers. Later he added berries and the smaller fruits. This enterprise proved to be a very profitable one, and his widow now carries it on with the help of her only son, Clarence. He was born October 27, 1869, and is an energetic and capable young man. After pursuing his studies in the common schools, he took a course at the Williams & Rogers Business College of Rochester, receiving a diploma from that institution June 26, 1891. Previous to this time he taught school, and thereby earned the money to pay his way through college. His mother, who is also a well informed lady, taught school first when only sixteen years of age, and followed the vocation successfully for five years, or until her marriage.

Our subject was a Democrat in politics. His son, however, is a strong Prohibitionist and has done much toward furthering the interests of this movement in his community. Mr. Troutman was a member of the Lutheran Church, to which his wife and son also belong. He was a man of sterling integrity and gained for himself a good competence through his own well directed efforts.