David Trout, a prominent citizen and well-to-do farmer of Pleasant Township, was born in Augusta County, Va., June 5, 1828, and is the son of Solomon and Hannah (Miller) Trout, the former a native of Augusta County, Va., and the latter a native of Rockingham County, Va. In the month of September, 1838, his parents came to the State of Indiana, and after a residence of a few months in Floyd County, they came to Johnson County in February, 1839, and settled in Pleasant Township. The former was killed by a falling tree, April 4, 1846, and the latter died February 3, 1877. After his father’s death the subject of this sketch remained at home with his widowed mother until his marriage. He was married November 8, 1855, to Nancy E. McClain. She was born in Pleasant Township, this county, May 27, 1835, and is the daughter of Thomas and Sarah F. (Tracy) McClain, both of whom were natives in Kentucky. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Trout began housekeeping on a farm in Pleasant Township, upon which they resided until in March, 1863. At that time they removed to their present home, which is in Section 21, of the same township. Mr. and Mrs. Trout have had a family of nine children: Solomon A., born September 8, 1856; James T., March 31, 1858; Samuel N., April 17, 1860; Jonathan J., September 6, 1862; Calvin E., August 15, 1870; Adolphus F., August 13, 1872, and Robert E., September 1, 1877, all of whom are living. The whole attention of Mr. Trout is given to farming, and the breeding of stock. Besides excellent specimens of other kinds of stock, he is the owner of a fine thoroughbred norman stallion, that was imported from France in 1886, and for which he paid $1,500. He owns a splendid farm of 180 acres in a good state of improvement, and which is very desirably situated. He is one of the substantial and influential men of his township, and one of its progressive and prosperous farmers.

Transcribed by: Phyllis Miller Fleming

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 822.