The following obituary was published in The Pioneer News on Friday, June 22, 1923.
Mr. R. L. Troutman died at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. F. Combs in this place on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 13th, 1923 of uraemic poisoning. On Friday, after brief services at the home were conducted by Rev. D. R. Peak, the remains were conveyed to Louisville, and buried in Cave Hill Cemetery in the family lot.
Mr. Troutman was the last member of the well known firm of Troutman Bros. to answer the last call. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. J. F. Combs and Mrs. Charles Carroll, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Troutman died as he had lived, peacefully, uncomplainingly and smilingly. Just a few moments before he passed beyond the portals, he conversed with O. W. Pearl, who was with him, and but a short while before that he ate a small morsel of food. On Tuesday, he had an attack which temporarily rendered him unconscious, but rallied nicely and on Tuesday night was able to walk from the Morris Chair in which he usually rested to his bed with the aid of his attendants.
He was the son of Michael and Sophia Troutman who lived south of Salt River, near where Mr. Clarence Dawson now lives. In 1874 the Troutman family came to Shepherdsville and H. F. Troutman, R. L. Troutman, and C. F. Troutman formed the firm of Troutman Bros, a firm which has been a leader in the business life of Bullitt County for more than fifty years.
Of the many children reared by Michael and Sophia Troutman, but two remain this side of the river: Mrs. J. F. Combs and Mrs. Charles Carroll.
There were few men better known of more generally liked than R. L. Troutman. He was quiet, unassuming and very considerate of the life of others. He was one of the gentlest and best men the writer ever knew. For many years he had been a great sufferer, but he bore his pain with fortitude and without complaint.
He was a direct descendent of Michael Troutman, one of the incorporators of Shepherdsville.
Mr. Troutman was a very plain, unassuming man. His manner of living was very simple, and this no doubt prolonged his life for many years, for he had been a weakly man for thirty and more years. His request that very few flowers be used at his funeral and burial was in keeping with his entire life and plain way of living. But for that request, his casket and grave would have been hidden by beautiful flowers.
There is a splendid lesson to be learned from the life of R. L. Troutman. When Troutman Bros. began business here in 1873, they had very little of this world's goods, but by energy, thrift and fair dealing they built up a large business and amassed comfortable fortunes. It should be inspiring to the young men of today, an incentive to those who wish to succeed in life.
In his early manhood, Mr. Troutman worked for the Western Union Telegraph Co. in many parts of the country and did much hard manual labor. The hardships of his early life strengthened and perfected his character and made him a friend of the poor and struggling. No worthy man ever appealed to him in vain. He will be greatly missed at the store where he has been on duty for fifty years. He will be missed in the Masonic lodge room where his real value was known and appreciated, and where he was loved by his brother craftmen. His familiar form will be missed on our streets. He will be seen no more where mortals congregate, but in the better land we feel sure his spirit is at rest. To his devoted sisters and other surviving relatives we tender our sympathy.
Of the three Troutman brothers mentioned above, the oldest Henry Franklin Troutman was born 29 Mar 1844, and died 19 Aug 1910. Robert Levi Troutman was born 6 May 1846 and died 13 Jun 1923. The youngest was Charles Fillmore Troutman who was born 6 Jun 1856 and died 4 Sep 1920.
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Sep 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/rltroutman.html
