Biography/Notes

Notes from Joni Eastley, April 30, 2001:

Jacob and Matilda's home was located five miles south of Clyde, Ohio. I don't have any information about Jacob's Civil War service, other than I know that he was a bugler. My grandmother gave me the little knife and fork he carried in his knapsack and I have it in my kitchen. I also have an ornate lock and key that he kept on his barn. Grandma said that he was quite a gruff individual. He would pass gas or belch loudly when company came, and Tillie would say "Jake!" in a very sharp voice. His excuse was always that "The good Lord made us to do that, so I will!" He would never let my grandmother eat mustard when she was little, saying that "spicy food wasn't good for little children." My great uncle Ward said that Jacob was a farmer. He would come into the house mid-morning every day and get himself a glass of water, into which he would put a spoonful of sugar and a couple spoonsful of whiskey. He'd mix it up, drink it down, and go back into the field.

Notes from Joni Eastley, December 5, 2005. From interview with Albert Trott, Jacob's grandson:

"He was a wonderful, kind man. He wore felt boots. I can remember him sitting in front of the window looking out at night. He'd have a glass of warm water and whiskey before he went to bed." I asked if he knew that Jacob was a Civil War veteran and that he was injured when his horse fell on him. "Yes, I knew that," he said. "When I was a child he told me that the horse laid on his leg for a long time before they found him. He drank water from a hoof print when he got thirsty. His one leg wasn't very big around at all."

Children of Jacob and Catharine (Slessman) Trott:

1. George Franklin (b. 15 Nov 1867) married 10 Apr 1895 to Minnie Janette Cowan
2. John Henry (b. 29 Sep 1869) married 10 Nov 1889 to Emma Bowersox
3. Mary Elizabeth (b. 16 Nov 1872) married 28 Dec 1898 to Frank Sigrist
4. Louisa Barbara (b. 6 Nov 1874) married 14 Jun 1900 to John Burkin
5. Emma Magdalena (b. 8 Feb 1880) married 29 Dec 1905 to Harry Eckerman

Children of Jacob and Matilda (Sherck)Trott:

1. Charles Calvin (b. 13 Sep 1889)
2. John Wesley Sherck--step son (b. 4 Dec 1876) married 6 Mar 1902 to Addie Bertha Moehle

Obituary for Jacob Trott taken from the Clyde Enterprise:

July 4, 1929

Jacob Trott, 90, one of the oldest persons in this locality, died Saturday at 10 pm at his home near Flat Rock, after a period of failing health for some time. Funeral services will be held this (Wednesday) afternoon at Flat Rock Evangelical Church at 2, conducted by Rev. Peters and burial will be made in Flat Rock cemetery.

Jacob Trott was born at Laufelfinger, Basel, Switzerland, June 16, 1839 and came to America in his early youth, settling near Sandusky. In 1865, he was united in marriage to Catherine Slessman. They were parents of five children, George F. of Quincy, Mich., Henry J. of near Clyde, Mrs. John H. Schmidt of Sandusky, Mrs. John Burkin of Bloomingville and Mrs. Lena M. Eckerman of Pomona, Calif. The family lived in Adams Township for many years, where Mr. Trott was engaged in farming.

Later he married Mrs. Matilda Sherck and one son, Charles C. Trott of Bellevue was born to this union. Mr. Trott was a member of the Lutheran church. Besides his children, he is survived by a brother, Christ Trott of near McCutchenville.

In his frequent visits to Clyde and vicinity, Mr. Trott became acquainted with many people, among whom he leaves warm friends.

Obituary for Jacob Trott taken from the Fremont Daily News:

AGED FLAT ROCK RESIDENT DEAD

Jacob Trott Answered Call Sunday

Clyde, July, 1---Jacob Trott, 90, died at his home in Flat Rock Sunday at 0 am after an illness due to the infirmities of his age. The funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday at 1:30 pm and at the Evangelical church at Flat Rock at 2 pm. Burial will be made in the cemetery at Fireside. Left to survive are the widow and several children, one of whom is Henry Trott residing south of Clyde.

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