>This web page contains information about the life of the gunsmith Daniel Benjamin Troutman, son of the gunsmith Benjamin Franklin Troutman of Southampton Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Links to pictures of rifles made by or attributed to Daniel Benjamin Troutman are included at the bottom of this web page.
L. Dietle
Chronology
Here's what Vaughn E. Whisker wrote about Benjamin Franklin Troutman and his son Daniel Troutman in an article titled "Somerset County Gunmakers and Smiths" that was published in the November 1982 issue of the "Laurel Messenger":
1844-1847: The 1983 booklet "Gunsmiths and Gunmakers of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania 1770-1900" indicates that Daniel B. Troutman was in Southampton Township of Somerset County from 1844 to 1847. Page 186 of James B. Whisker's 1990 book "Arms Makers of Pennsylvania" gives the same date range and location, and indicates the dates are based on tax lists and Daniel B. Troutman's occupation during that time period was that of a gunsmith.
1845: According to the 1989 book "Robertson & May families: with allied families", Daniel Benjamin Troutman married Catherine Emerick on Dec. 25, 1845. The books name her parents as Jonathan Emerick and Rachel (Sturtz) Emerick. I'm generally aware that there were Emerick families who lived in the same general area as Daniel Troutman's father Benjamin. Rachel Sturtz is a granddaughter of my ancestor Christian Sturtz, Sr, whose grave is identified with a modern grave marker at Comp's Church.
Circa 1847: According to the 1991 book "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties" Daniel Benjamin Troutman purchased property in Londonderry Township, Bedford County circa 1847.
Circa 1848-1849: Based on the 1850, 1860, and 1870 census records, Daniel B. Troutman may have had a son named Sylvester who was born circa 1848-1849.
1850: The 1983 booklet "Gunsmiths and Gunmakers of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania 1770-1900" indicates that Daniel B. Troutman was recorded as a gunsmith with half of an acre in 1850, and a value of $45.00.
1850: The following excerpt from the 1884 book "History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania" shows that Daniel Benjamin Troutman was a Justice of the Peace in Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1850.
1850: The following excerpt shows the household of Daniel Benjamin Troutman in the Londonderry Township portion of the 1850 census records of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
1850: Based on the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses, Daniel B. Troutman had a son named Noah Henry Troutman who was born circa 1851. The death certificate of (Noah) Henry Troutman indicates that he was born in Pennsylvania on December 31, 1850, lists his occupation as "Gun smith", indicates he died on May 16, 1926, and names his parents as D. V. Troutman and Catherine Enric. The 2017 book "Gunsmiths of Bedford County, Pennsylvania" indicates that Noah Troutman practiced gunsmithing in Ottawa, Kansas. (The book, mistakenly in my opinion, indicates Noah was born in 1869.)
1851: The 1983 booklet "Gunsmiths and Gunmakers of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania 1770-1900" indicates that Daniel B. Troutman was bonded to be an executor in the estate of Jacob Albright on November 18, 1851.
1852: The 1983 booklet "Gunsmiths and Gunmakers of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania 1770-1900" indicates that Daniel B. Troutman was bonded as an executor of Frederick Steckman's estate on July 16, 1852.
Circa 1853-1855: Based on the 1860 and 1870 censuses, Daniel B. Troutman may have had a daughter named Mary who was born circa 1853-1855.
1855: The following excerpt from the 1884 book "History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania" shows that Daniel Benjamin Troutman was a Justice of the Peace in Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1855.
1855: The following notice is from the July 13, 1855 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper, and indicates that a letter is waiting for Daniel B. Troutman at the Bedford Post Office.
1855: The following item from the November 16, 1855 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper announces the case of Charles Hoyman versus Daniel B. Troutman.
1855-1864: The 1983 booklet "Gunsmiths and Gunmakers of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania 1770-1900" puts Daniel B. Troutman in Londonderry Township of Bedford County from 1855 to 1864. This duration is not harmonious with the information presented below, which puts Daniel B. Troutman in Wellersburg, Southampton Township, Somerset County in 1862. I suspect the 1862 Wellersburg date is a typographical error, because it seems clear that Daniel b. Troutman was really in Bedford County in 1862.
Page 186 of James B. Whisker's 1990 book "Arms Makers of Pennsylvania" gives the same 1855 to 1864 date range and Londonderry Township location, cites tax lists as the source of the information, and indicates that in addition to being a gunsmith, Daniel B. Troutman also served as a justice of the peace.
1856: Daniel Benjamin Troutman's father Benjamin Troutman died on March 18, 1856 at age 75.
Circa 1856: William S. Bowers' book "Gunsmiths of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia" indicates that Daniel B. Troutman purchased a set of gunsmithing tools and a piece of brass sheet material at the estate sale of his father Benjamin Troutman.
1856: The following auction notice in the September 19, 1856 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper was placed by Daniel B. Troutman:
1856: The following item from the October 24, 1856 issue of the "Bedford Inquirer and Chronicle" newspaper indicates that Daniel B. Troutman owned property in Palo Alto:
1857: The following notice from the January 23, 1857 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper seems to be a case of one Bedford County gunsmith suing the other. The same lawsuit had been scheduled for September in the August 15, 1856 issue of the newspaper, and had been scheduled for November in the October 15, 1856 issue of the newspaper.
1857: The following article mentioning Daniel B. Troutman is from the September 25, 1857 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper.
1857: The following notice is from the November 20, 1857 issue of the "Bedford Inquirer". It shows Daniel B. Troutman serving as the Administrator of the Jacob Albright estate. The notice also ran in the November 13, 1857 issue.
1858: The following item is from the September 17, 1858 issue of the "Bedford Inquirer" newspaper, and documents Daniel B. Troutman performing a marriage ceremony:
1858: The 1953 edition of Gluckman's "American Gun Makers" puts D. B. Troutman in Londonderry Township of Bedford County in 1858, and describes him as making plain percussion rifles exhibiting good workmanship that have full stocks and oval or long patch boxes. The book mentions that one of the rifles has a lock made by the Pittsburgh firm of Whitmore & Wolff.
1858: According to Kauffman's 1960 book "The Pennsylvania - Kentucky Rifle", Daniel B. Troutman is identified as a gunsmith in the 1858 tax roll of Londonderry Township, Bedford County.
1858: In an article titled "Co. Had 30 Gunmakers-Gunsmiths" in the November 1971 issue of the "Laurel Messenger", Vaughn E. Whisker wrote that Daniel B. Troutman appears in the Londonderry Township, Bedford County tax list in 1858.
1858: The 1983 booklet "Gunsmiths and Gunmakers of Bedford and Somerset Counties Pennsylvania 1770-1900" indicates that Daniel B. Troutman is recorded as a gunsmith in 1858 with a value of $100.00.
1859: The following article mentioning Daniel B. Troutman is from the February 18, 1859 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper.
1859: The following item from the October 7, 1859 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper documents Daniel B. Troutman giving a speech at a Democrat party meeting in Palo Alto.
1859: The following item is from the October 14, 1859 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper, and shows that Daniel B. Troutman attended a Democratic party meeting in Palo Alto.
1859: The following article about a tragic accident in Daniel's family is from the November 4, 1859 issue of the "Bedford Inquirer", and shows where the family was living in 1859.
1860: The following item from the September 21, 1860 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper indicates that Daniel Troutman was running for political office.
1860: The following newspaper endorsement is from the September 28, 1860 issue of the "Bedford Gazette". It shows Daniel B. Troutman running for the state legislature.
1860: The following advertisement is also from the September 28, 1860 issue of the "Bedford Gazette". It shows Daniel B. Troutman running for the state legislature as a Democrat.
1860: The following newspaper endorsement and advertisement are from the October 5, 1860 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper.
1860: The following item is from the October 26, 1860 issue of the "Bedford Inquirer" newspaper, and shows that Daniel B. Troutman lost the election for the state legislature.
1860: The family of Daniel Troutman is listed in the following excerpt from the 1870 federal census of Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania:
1861: The following item is from the February 8, 1861 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper and shows that Daniel B. Troutman was paid for holding an inquest regarding an unknown dead man.. The item is repeated in the March 8, 1861 issue.
1862: The following excerpt from the 1884 book "History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania" shows that Daniel Benjamin Troutman was a Justice of the Peace in Wellersburg, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1862. As stated above, I suspect the 1862 Wellersburg date is a typographical error, because it seems clear that Daniel b. Troutman was really living in Bedford County in 1862.
1862: The following article mentioning Daniel B. Troutman is from the August 1, 1862 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper. It indicates he attended a Civil War meeting that was held "for the purpose of adopting measures to facilitate and hasten the raising of volunteers".
1862: The following Commissioner's Notice, placed by Commissioner Daniel B. Troutman, is from the August 8, 1862 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper. It also ran in the August 29, 1862 issue.
1862: The following item is from the August 29, 1862 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper, and shows that Daniel B. Troutman was appointed as the Deputy Marshal for Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
1862: The following notice from the September 5, 1862 issue of the "Bedford Gazette" newspaper was placed by Daniel B. Troutman, Secretary of the Board of School Directors of Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The notice also ran in the September 19, 1862 issue.
1863: Based on the 1870 and 1880 censuses, Daniel B. Troutman had a daughter Lucy circa 1860-1862. According to Steve Troutman's 1988 book "The Trautman/Troutman Family History", Daniel Troutman's daughter Lucy Ann Troutman was born in July of 1863 in Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
Circa 1864: Based on the 1870 census, Daniel B. Troutman may have had a daughter named Emma circa 1864.
1864-1867: According to the 1991 book "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties" Daniel Benjamin Troutman lived in Wellersburg, Somerset County, PA from 1864 to 1867.
1867: According to Kauffman's 1960 book "The Pennsylvania - Kentucky Rifle", Daniel B. Troutman is identified as a gunsmith in the 1867 tax roll of Wellersburg, Somerset County, used both imported and hand-made gun locks, and built guns whose quality was average.
1870: The following excerpt is from the Ottawa, Kansas section of the railroad stop business directory titled, "St. Louis to Denver for 1870..."
According to the Ottawa Bike and Trail website, the gun shop of Daniel Benjamin Troutman was at 111 East First Street. The website reports that Daniel's son N. H. Troutman (Henry) put a new sign on the building and shows a picture of a small single-story building with a sign that says, "N. H. Troutman Gunsmith and Bicycle Shop". The front part of the building was sheathed in corrugated steel, and the rear part of the building appears to have been sheathed in wood.
1870: Based on the 1870 and 1880 censuses, Daniel B. Troutman had a son named Perry in 1870. According to a web page about him, Perry D. Troutman was a son of Daniel Benjamin Troutman. Perry's tombstone indicates he was born in 1870 and died in 1954. He is buried in the Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas.
1870: The household of Daniel Troutman is enumerated in the following excerpt from the 1870 federal census:
1875: The following excerpt is from the 1875 state census of Kansas. It may relate to Daniel Benjamin Troutman.
1880: The following excerpt from the 1880 federal census lists the members of the Daniel Troutman household:
1887: According to Steve Troutman's 1988 book "The Trautman/Troutman Family History", Daniel B. Troutman's daughter Lucy married George C. Schempp in 1887.
1888: The following notice in the March 5, 1888 issue of the "Ottawa Daily Republic" newspaper mentions "D. B. Troutman":
1891: Daniel Benjamin Troutman is buried in the Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. His tombstone states: "Daniel Benjamin Troutman Oct. 26, 1822 -- Dec. 22, 1891". The cemetery is located at 38.59203397, -95.25195329.
1904: The following excerpt is from Volume 10 of the 1904 book "Polk's Kansas State Gazetteer and Business Directory":
1910: In the 1910 census records of Ottawa City, Henry Troutman is listed as a Pennsylvania-born gun and lock smith. The only other individual living in the household is his mother Catherine Troutman.
1912: Catherine (Emerick) Troutman, wife of Daniel Benjamin Troutman, is also buried in the Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. Her tombstone states, "Catherine Emerick Troutman Aug. 25, 1825 -- Apr. 4, 1912". According to Steve Troutman's 1988 book "The Trautman/Troutman Family History", Catherine died in Princeton, Kansas.
1926: As previously mentioned, the death certificate of the gunsmith (Noah) Henry Troutman indicates that he died on May 16, 1926. (Noah) Henry Troutman is buried in the Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Washington, where his tombstone indicates he was born in 1850 and died in 1926.
Daniel Benjamin Troutman work product:
1822: According to his tombstone, Daniel Benjamin Troutman was born on October 26, 1822.
For biographical information on other muzzleloader gunsmiths who worked in Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania be sure to visit the Gunsmithing Project Index.
