Bio-Trout, JohnMinerd

John Minerd Trout
(1874-1941)

John Minerd Trout was born in August 1874 in Westmoreland County, PA, the son of Isaac F. and Emma (Minerd) Trout. He may have been named for his grandfather, Civil War veteran John V.S. Minerd.

John married Cora Ida Van Dyke (1876-1934). A tintype of her as a young girl is seen here. They had six children - Kenneth V. Trout, Thelma Rae Lacey, John Trout, James "Clifford" Trout, Caroline Miller and Irene Poole Spino.

The Trouts resided in New Stanton, Westmoreland County. John worked there as a railroader, presumably with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

When the federal census was taken in 1910, John and Cora and their three eldest children resided in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County. Their home was just a few doors away from John's married sister, Anna Belle Hower. That year, John's occupation was listed as "car repairer - railroad company."

The 1920 census of New Stanton, Hempfield Township, shows John's employment as railroad track repair.

In 1930, the census shows John working as a railroad car inspector, and 22-year-old son Kenneth as a valve grinder at at thermostat company.

Pennsylvania Turnpike viaduct and interchange which opened up New Stanton as a town of influence. Image by A.W. McKinney, published by Minsky Bros. & Co.

Little else is known of their lives. Cora died in 1934, and was laid to rest at Seanor Cemetery near New Stanton.

John outlived her by seven years. He passed away on April 23, 1941, at the age of 67, following an emergency operation at Frick Memorial Hospital. He rests with his wife.

Daughter Caroline Trout (1906- ? ) married John Miller and lived in Philadelphia and later in Lorain, Cuyahoga County, OH.

They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and the photograph of that very special event is seen below.

Caroline and John Miller's 50th wedding anniversary

Son Kenneth Trout (1907- ? ) married Evelyn Leighty. They had one daughter, Beverley Fox.

He was a foreman at Robertshaw, Inc., and prominent in Westmoreland County political and community activities. The Greensburg Tribune-Review said he was "active in the New Stanton Borough incorporation, ... was a former council member of New Stanton and was the first Tax Collector of the borough." He also was a church council member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and a member of the New Stanton Fair Association and a volunteer with the New Stanton Salvation Army, among other groups.

Kenneth died in Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg on March 28, 1994, at age 86. His funeral was held at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church, followed by burial in Seanors Cemetery in New Stanton.

Daughter Irene Trout (1910- ? ) was married twice. Her first husband was Lloyd Edward Poole (1910-1947), the son of William D. Poole of Greensburg. They lived at Mutual, Westmoreland County, had four children -- John William "Jack" Poole, Thomas Owen Poole, Judith Ann Stalnaker and Donald Edward Poole.

Tragically, Lloyd died at home at the age of 37 on Feb. 26, 1947. After a funeral held at the Poole residence, Lloyd was laid to rest in Hillview Cemetery in Greensburg. His death left Irene with four children at home.

Later, Irene wed her second husband, Nick Spino (1922-1999), the son of Angelo and Philimeno (Fortana) Spino and the stepson of Justin Pardi. They lived in Greensburg.

The Tribune-Review said that Nick "retired from the Elliott Co. with over 35 years. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army; a member of the Moose, VFW Post 33 and American Legion Post 981."

Nick died at age 77 at home in Greensburg on Nov. 14, 1999. His funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensburg, followed by burial in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery. At his death, said the Tribune-Review, he was survived by 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, adding "He was a great man who thought more of his family than himself and who will be sadly missed by all."

Son John W. "Jack" Poole (1933-1993) was born on Aug. 8, 1933, in Greensburg. He married Martha Johnson, and they had two children -- David W. Poole and Brenda L. Rekouche. Martha brought two children from a previous marriage, Chris S. Johnson and Donna M. Stairs. Jack was a member of Teamsters Local No. 30, the Loyal Order of Moose and A&B Club of Youngwood. Jack died at the age of 60, at home in Youngwood, on Sept. 9, 1993. Burial was in Hillview Cemetery, following funeral services at the McCauley Funeral Home.

Daughter Thelma Rae Trout (1910-1991 ) was born on Nov. 27, 1909 at Foxtown, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County. She married Michael A. Lacey and had four children -- Kathleen Govern, Patricia "Pat" Cassa, Michael Lacey and Daniel Lacey.

The Laceys resided in Scottdale and later on Smithfield Street in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. An old postcard view of Scottdale's Pittsburgh Street is seen here, looking west from Broadway.

Thelma died on March 3, 1991, at the age 81, in Frick Community Health Center in Mount Pleasant. Following a funeral mass at their church, she was laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Scottdale. At the time of her passing, said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, she was survived by 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Son James "Clifford" Trout (1920- ? ) served in World War II. He married Marjorie (?) and resided in Camden, ME.