James Trousdale, a veteran of the Black Hawk War, and one who was born and reared amid the earliest scenes of pioneer life in this State, is now living comfortably at a pleasant homestead in Elizabeth Township, comprising a large and well-cultivated farm on section 33. This property he accumulated through the labors of bygone years, amidst many difficulties, and at the present time is but enjoying that to which he is amply entitled. He is nearing the seventy-sixth years of his age, and all his life has been spent in the Prairie State.

Gallatin County, IL., contained the humble rooftree underneath which our subject was born, June 15, 1814. His parents, James and Melinda (May) Trousdale, were natives of Tennessee, whence they emigrated about 1810 or 1811. to the Territory of Illinois, settling near the present site of Shawneetown. which at that time was comprised in the Indiana Territory. The father battled with the elements of a new soil for a time, but died when comparatively a young man, in 1833. The mother survived her husband a period of forty years, passing away in 1872, at the home of her brother, in this county.

Mr. Trousdale was the second son in the family of his parents, and grew up strong of muscle and courageous of heart, entering with zest into the labors of pioneer life, and obtaining his education under the undeveloped school system of that day He was but a youth of eighteen years when, in 1832, he enlisted as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, being a member of Col. Hargreaves* Regiment which was present at the relief of Col. Dement, and participated in the battle of Bad Axe, Wis., which practically closed the war. In following the Indians on horseback he crossed or swam every river west of the Illinois as far as their operations extended. When the difficulties had been adjusted he returned to his native county, whence he emigrated that same year to Jo Daviess County, and made a claim of 320 acres of land. As soon as this came into market he purchased it from the Government, and thereafter added seventy-nine acres, having then in all a tract of 399 acres in extent, which he afterward sold to the Chicago. St. Paul A Kansas City Railway Company. The greater part of it was prairie land, upon which not a furrow had been turned. Many were the hardships and privations which he endured during the the first few years of his residence in this county, and which have so often been faithfully delineated elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Trousdale came to this section of country with practically no capital, except his own unbounded energy and resolute will. These served him well, and there was a satisfaction afterward in looking upon the works of his hands—the transformation of a portion of the prairie into a valuable homestead. At the same time as the country became settled up, and township government was assumed, he occupied the various local offices, and for a term of six years served as Deputy Sheriff of the county. He has an extensive acquaintance in Northern Illinois, and has been frequently solicited to fill more important offices than those of which he has already been the incumbent. In 1888 the Chicago. St. Paul and Kansas City Railway constructed their track across his farm, and put up a station near his residence, which they honored with the name of Trousdale. Mr. Trousdale has now for sale a number of town-lots, which no doubt in time will be in demand, and which will net him a handsome profit.

The marriage which united our subject with Mrs. Mary E. Taylor, nee Ashby, was celebrated in Galena, Oct. 15, 1862. This lady was the widow of Joseph Taylor, of Carroll County, and the daughter of John and Mary Ashby. She was born July 19, 1826, in Canada. This union resulted in the birth of three children, all sons: James. John, and Albert, who are all residents of Elizabeth Township. Mr. Trousdale, although not an active member of any church, believes in the support of this institution as a bar against wickedness and crime, and to this, as to other worthy institutions, gives this unqualified support. Both he and his estimable wife are healthy and active, and their home is the resort of scores of friends, by whom they are welcomed with that cordiality which will cause them to be kindly remembered long after they have departed hence.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)