The James Vance Trout Family

Facts by John A. Trout

In 1895, James Vance Trout and his 17-year-old bride, Sallie Eddy Trout, moved from their native state of Kentucky to Texas. At that time, this was considered quite an adventure.

To supplement his educational training at The University of Kentucky, and to secure a permanent teaching certificate, James V. Trout graduated from Sam Houston Normal, now Sam Houston State University, at Huntsville. They established a home in Jacksonville, and during the next 25 years Professor Trout taught school. He taught at Jacksonville High School, in Cherokee County schools, and also served as superintendent of Jacksonville schools.

In his spare time during his years of educational work, and after he retired, Professor Trout was a successful farmer, operating a sizeable farm. Among other things, he was a successful peach grower, producing choice Elberta peaches. This led to a highlight of his career, when he was selected by other peach growers of the Jacksonville area to serve during the shipping season as their consignee sales representative in Minneapolis, Minn., market to which they were shipping in carload lots.

For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Trout were active in civic and church affairs, having been among the founders of the First Christian Church of Jacksonville.

Children born to them were Lucille (Mrs. Richard P. Gould) in 1898, Kathleen (Mrs. Sidney D. McArthur) in 1900, and John Albert Trout in 1902, who married Helen Lindsay of New Orleans.

Born to Lucille Trout Gould and her husband was a daughter, Kathleen (Mrs. John Norman Ragsdale), who had a daughter, Kay (Mrs. Richard L. Leddon, Jr.), and a son, John Wayne, who married Susie Hughes. Kay and her husband have a son and a daughter. John Wayne and his wife have two sons.

Born to Kathleen Trout McArthur and her husband was a son, Robert Dale, now a Christian church minister, who married Janie Ballard. Robert Dale and his wife have a daughter.