Augustus C. Trombold

Augustus C. "Gus" Trombold was born in Saxony, Germany, on November 22, 1847, to Johan George and Johannah Trumbold.  He came with his family to New Jersey when he was about 2 years old and on to Clayton County, Iowa, when he was about 12.  His history parallels that of Charles Fredrick Trumbold until October 1864. 

Augustus Trombold voluntarily enlisted for one year in the Iowa Cavalry, Second Regiment, on October 27, 1864, in Concord, Dubuque County, Iowa.  He said he was eighteen but he was just approaching his 17th birthday.  The Volunteer Enlistment record shows that he was 5'4" tall, and had grey eyes, brown hair, and dark complexion.1  He became a Private in Captain Samuel Foster's Company M.    On February 5 and 6, 1865, he was noted as being treated for diarrhea and returned to duty.  The diarrhea occurred again on April 3 and 4.  He was honorably discharged in Selma, Alabama, on September 19, 18652 and apparently returned to Iowa until 1867 when he moved to Pittsfield, Illinois.

On September 17, 1873, Augustus married Lucinda "Cindy" C. Ritter in Mt. Sterling, Illinois.3  All their children were born in Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois - Anna Elizabeth on September 1, 1874, George John on September 17, 1877, Charles A. on January 20, 1880, Franklin Walter on September 26, 1883, and Louis Fredric on December 26, 1886.  The last two boys died in infancy.

From 1867-1899, he lived in Pittsfield, Illinois.   They moved to Galena, Kansas, in 1899 and lived there until 1913  when they moved to 4707 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, Illinois (the home of their daughter, Anna Kincaid).2 

Augustus Trombold died on April 6, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois.  He was 71 years of age and died from chronic myocarditis complicated by angina pectoris.4 

Lucinda continued to live in Chicago with her daughter until her death on March 7, 1928.  The Trombolds are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Pittsfield, Illinois.

Obituary

"BURIAL OF AUGUSTUS TROMBOLD 

The body of Augustus Trombold, who died in Chicago last Sunday, was brought here yesterday morning and taken to the chapel at the R. D. Plattner undertaking rooms, where funeral services were conducted by Rev. J.C. Brown, pastor of the M. E. church, yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.  Interment was at Oakwood cemetery.

Present at the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Kincaid of Chicago (the latter Anna Trombold), George Trombold of Chanute, Kansas, and Charles Trombold of Galena, Kansas, the three children, and also Mrs. Trombold, the widow.

Mr. Trombold was born near Dresden, Germany, in 1847.  He came to this country with his parents when he was but two or three years of age.  They settled near Elgin, Iowa.  He enlisted with a detachment of Iowa cavalry for service during the Civil War, and at the close of hostilities came to Pittsfield, where he engaged in the blacksmithing business with the late Frank Koch.  Upon the death of Koch, Trombold took over the business and operated for many years in a shop which stood where the present Aber blacksmith shop is located.  Trombold went to Joplin, Mo., in 1896 during the boom there in lead and zinc mining, and remained in that city, working at his trade, until about five years ago, when he and his wife removed to Chicago, where their daughter, Mrs. Anna Kincaid, made her home.  His death resulted from heart trouble.  He had always enjoyed excellent health.

The three children were educated in the Pittsfield school and the family have many friends in this city, which was their home for so many years.  George is superintendent of manufacturing for the Monarch Portland Cement Company, and Charley is a mining expert."5

Obituary

"AUGUST TROMBOLD DEAD

            The remains of August Trombold, who passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kincaid, in Chicago, Sunday, after a four months illness of heart trouble arrived here Tuesday morning, accompanied by Mrs. Trombold, and daughter, Mrs. Kincaid, and her husband, and were taken to the Plattner undertaking parlors where religious services were conducted by Rev. J. C. Brown, at 2 o'clock P.M. after which interment was made in Oakwood cemetery.

            The deceased was born in Germany in 1847 and came to this country with his parents when quite young, the family forming part of a German colony, that settled in Iowa.  Mr. Trombold served in the Iowa Cavalry in the civil war.  In 1868 he came to Pittsfield, and formed a partnership in blacksmithing with Frank Koch.  September 17, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Ritter, of Mt. Sterling, Ill., to which union 5 children were born, two sons dying in infancy.  He is survived by the wife and daughter, Mrs. Kincaid of Chicago, with whom she makes her home, and two sons George J. of Chanute, Kansas, and Chas. A. of Galena, Kansas.  Mr. Trombold and family resided in Pittsfield until 1897, when they moved to Galena, Kansas, where they remained until 1915 since which date they have been in Chicago.

            Mr. Trombold during his residence here, served as Alderman, several terms, and as tax collector.  He was an upright, industrious and honorable citizen.  His death was caused from heart trouble, with which he had been afflicted for about four months.

            The family were all present at the funeral services."6

Obituary

"SERVICES FOR MRS. AUGUSTUS TROMBOLD LAST SUNDAY

            The body of Mrs. Augustus Thombold(sic) was brought here for burial, Saturday.  It was taken to the Eddy undertaking parlors, and at 230 o'clock removed to the Methodist church, where services in charge of Rev. Russell Booker were held.  Organ music was played by Miss Irene Stout.  Casket bearers were John Geisendorfer, John Fletcher, Fred Kern, Ed Kern, Otto Gicker, and George Geisendorfer.  Interment was in Oakwood cemetery.     The Trombolds were resident of this city until 1900, when they removed to Galena, Kan.  Augustus Trombold was a blacksmith by trade and owned and operated the shop which is now the Frank Aber shop.  Mrs. Lucinda Trombold was born at Washington Court House, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1852, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Ritter.  She was married Sept. 17, 1873 to Augustus Trombold.  Three children were born to them Anna E., who is Mrs. M. S. Kincaid of St. Louis, with whom for many years the parents made their home until the death of the father ten years ago, and of the mother last week.  George J., the second child and oldest son, is married and lives in Iola, Kan.  He is the father of four sons and a daughter.  Charles A., the youngest son, with his wife, one son and one daughter, live in Dixon, Ill.  Both sons and their wives, the daughter and her husband accompanied the body of the mother here for the funeral service and burial.

Mrs. Trombold had always been a faithful member of the German Evangelical church.  She was a wise and devoted mother, and her friends were numbered by their acquaintances.

During their stay in Pittsfield the Trombolds were guests in the following homes Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid with Misses Charlotte and Pauline Siegle; Mr. and Mrs. George Trombold with Mr. and Mrs. George Weaver; and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Trombold with Mrs. Lucy Kientzle."7

Source Notes

1.  Volunteer Enlistment, Augustus Trombold, Dubuque County, Iowa, October 27, 1864.

2.  Declaration for Pension, Cook County, Illinois, February 18, 1915.

3.  Marriage record, Augustus Trumbold and Lucinda C. Ritter, September 17, 1873, Book C, page 103.

4.  Letter from Linton Vallely, MD, attending physician, May 1, 1919.

5.  Obituary, Burial of Augustus Trombold, Pike County Republican, April 19, 1919, Pittsfield Public Library, Microfilm #333.

6.  Obituary, August Trombold Dead, Pike County Democrat, Pittsfield Public Library, Microfilm #17.

7.  Obituary, Services for Mrs. Augustus Trombold, Pike County     Democrat, March 11, 1928.