Philip Troutfetter was born in Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois, in the 1860s and died near Colby, Thomas County, Kansas, in 1911. There are several things I learned about research from Philip:
- Some people move a great deal. Philip lived in Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and spent time in Cuba and Columbia, South America. After leaving Columbia he worked for a time in a Boston, Massachusetts, restaurant.
- Some people change their name to avoid authorities. Philip used the last name of Taylor in order to avoid capture by the police and postal inspectors in the 1890s.
- A good lawyer can help. According to a Denver, Colorado, newspaper, Philip’s ability to get out of his legal difficulties was at least partially due to his ability of his parents to hire an expensive and experienced lawyer.
- Planned marriages do not always happen. A local newspaper mentions Philip’s upcoming marriage in the late 1880s. There has been no evidence located to indicate the marriage ever took place.
- Don’t assume anything.
5 Responses
This may explain somethings with people who r missing in my mother’s family.They just seemed to have disappeared.
Philip was certainly a colorful character. Wondering how you found out about the name change?
It was mentioned by the postal inspector in his report of the investigation into Troutfetter. The change was likely done to elude authorities.
I may have commented on this before, and if so must say again, I really appreciate the ‘what I learned from…” comments in your blog. Makes me consider what I’ve ‘learned’ from my own ancestors. Thank you and for all the clues and hints and lessons you share in addition to what you share.
Thanks for the comments. I do appreciate it. We’ll be bringing this “what learned back” every so often. I just don’t want it to get too repetitive. Thanks!