Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-10-25
]. c. 1ROT|ER DIES
AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS
WELL.kNOWN RESIDENT OF CITY
AND OLD CITY OFFICIAL
PASSES AWAY.
SERVED AS CITY CLERK
FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
Originated Iowa Law That Resulted in
Payment of Services For Volunteer
Firemen-served as Secretary of
School Board For Twenty-Five Years
Sketch of Trotters Career.


Sketch of Trotter's Career.
James c. Trotter, one of the best
known residents of the city. and "a
man generally respected for many ster
ling principles OF character, died at
$50 sunday afternoon at his home, 40
North First street. Mr.. Trotters death
followed a brief illness due to uremia,
He had been in failing health. however,
since a year ago last spring, when he
suffered an attack of pneumonia. This
disease left its victim with a weakened
heart and the kidney ailment resulted.
Few men in Marshalltown We're better
known than j. G. Trotter. For twenty
two years he was city clerk, serving
thru the administrations of six mayors.
His first election was in 1879, when r.
Howe Taylor was mayor He was re-
elected each year until 1901, when F. G.
Pierce finished his third term as
mayor. Another, and even longer pub
lie service, was with the school board.
as secretary of which Mr.. Trotter
served for an even quarter OF a century,
retiring about four years ago.
Originated Iowa Law.
Mr. Trotter was the originator of the
Iowa law that placed volunteer hremen
on pay during the time they were in
service The law was framed for pre-
sentation by Senator ]. L. Carney, and
passed both houses.
/ Mr.. Trotter also adopted a method OF
bookkeeping Tor municipal affairs that
was adopted by several Iowa cities
years ago.
Trotter Good Citizen.
! Mr.. Trotter was a good citizen, and
was the sort OF man that any city
dents No one ever questioned his hon
esty, and his word was considered as
good as his bond. -Altho not educated
as is commonly accepted in this day as
j characterizing book learning, Jim"
d Trotter learned lessons back in Yer
mont as boy that never We're to be for
gotten And Trotter didn't forget them
He learned the necessity Of persever-
ance 10 succeed, and application 10 what
ne was doing. He was a great reader
and his favorite authors were ones
who helped him. Scott and Burns, the
beloved poets OF his native land, were
among the authors whose works he
pored over longest and, blessed with a
remarkable retentive memory, Mr.
Trotter vas able to quote almost hall
Of Sir Walter SCOTS works. Carlyle
Voltaire, and Ruskin were all familia,
friends TO him, and these FIVE author;
practically furnished him with all ths
reading he has done in his long life
Hard Knocks to Start
James Guthrie Trotter was borr
June 10, 1888, at Lochgelly, Fffeshire
of Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Trorter.
When their son James was year
old the parents decided 10 e.nigrate !,
Canada On the long voyage in 1s47 tn
Scotch family was destined TO NEE
with dire afflicrion. Typhus fever brok
out on board the vessel, and many 0
them we're Mr.. and Mrs. Trotter an
two OF their children. The six littl
orphans landed al Montreal, wher
they remained few months or unt
their money gave out. Then the au
thorities Of the Canadian port boun
out the children. scattering them TO IN
four winds.
= The son James went TO a farmer i
I
remained until he was 10 years Ole
He then started west TO earn his for
tune. and landed al Rockford, ILL.,
Becomes Manufacturer.
AT Rochester, which was then
: thriving little town, Mr.. Trotter be
came a machinist. and later manu-
facturer. He became active in the bus
mess affairs Of the town and owned
machine shop that did good bushes
An accident, however resulted in til
loss of the greater part of Mr.. Trot
ter's left hand and becoming inca
pacitated from further work as a ma
chnist. he engaged in the land bus
ness. For several years he did sue
cessful business for the Illinois Contra
handing .aomsa nds of acres that wei
opened to settlers. From Rockford vi
iiotLST iHu'eu " Ashton, III Lee cOuT
ty, and came from that city here
4 1874.
Mr.. Trotter was united in maria;
= with Miss Candace Ellen Ferguson
n Ashton, Ill, in 1869. Three childre
We're born to them, and survive NJ
! Trotter with their mother The childrt
. are Mrs. Arthur y. Parrett, of Whea
or, Mimi; Walter F. Trotter, of CHI
cinanti, Ohio, and DR.. Jay r. Trotte
ID. of Mancos, Colo. Mrs. Parrett and NJ
r. Walter Trotter are here, and DR. j,
Trotter and his wife are expected
mt reach the city tonight. Mr.. Trotter
he also survived by two sisters and OF
brother-Mrs. Janet Griffiths al
Grant Trotter, Of Mt Vernon, S. ]
and Miss Ann Trotter, of Boston.
!" The funeral will be held from t