My Genealogy Hound

Rev. D. L. Trimble, whose name is familiar in this and surrounding counties, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850. His father, a man of prominence and decided worth, was Robert Wilson Trimble, a native of Wheeling, W. Va., whose birth occurred in 1829. He (Robert W.) received a good education in his native State, and after the age of twenty-one years commenced studying for the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church. From Virginia he went to Kentucky, locating first at Newport and later at Hopkinsville, but subsequently found himself in Louisville. After serving a six-months’ probation in the Episcopal Church he was given a license and stationed at Jeffersonville, Ind., where he had charge of St. John’s Church about two years. In March, 1860, he arrived at Pine Bluff, Ark., as a missionary, sent by Bishop Lay, where he founded the present Episcopal Church with only three members. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Trimble enlisted in the First Arkansas Regiment, under James Fagan, participating in several prominent engagements in Virginia, and being transferred to the Trans Mississippi department under Johnson. In September, 1863, just before the battle of Pine Bluff, his health failed, when he returned home and resumed charge of his parish. In January, 1864, having been banished from the Federal lines, he went down the river, where he lived on a plantation till the close of hostilities. He was engaged for some time in the secret service under Gen. McGruder. In May, 1866, after having returned to Pine Bluff Mr. Trimble went East and raised money for the building of a church, which was completed in 1870, the first services being held Christmas day. In 1871 he commenced collecting material for a general descriptive history of the State by counties, the manuscript of which is now owned by his son. This has been submitted to the State Historical Society for correction, and constitutes matter of vital importance. In 1879 the State University of Arkansas conferred upon him an honorary degree, which was well deserved and gracefully borne. He was the father of the public school system of Pine Bluff, and for twelve years was a member of the school board, of which he was secretary; educational affairs having for him important attractions, and his career in this direction has left a marked influence for good. Mainly to his efforts are the citizens of this locality indebted for the attractive building of the high school which is now so prominent a structure. Mr. Trimble was a man of decided literary ability, and able contributions from his pen found a ready place in leading papers of the day. He was a good man in all that the term implies, a beloved and talented minister and a fluent speaker, and a fact worthy of mention is that he was the only Episcopal clergyman who stood at his post during the war. He also founded the Episcopal Church at Hot Springs. He was born February 22, 1829, and died April 18, 1882, after a useful and well spent life. His wife was Almira E. Hukill, originally from Kentucky, born in 1830, and who died March 28, 1887. Their two children are both living: Rev. D. L. and Mattie J. (the widow of Peter A. Torian), who lives with her brother. She has one child living, Allie D. At the age of fourteen years the subject of this sketch, who possesses in a high degree the many estimable traits of his esteemed father, was sent to Shelby College, Shelbyville, Ky., remaining there for eighteen months, when he attended the University of Tennessee. After leaving he was a student at the Military Academy of New York, but owing to defective eyesight (having lost one eye by sulphuric acid) did not remain long, subsequently going to the Theological Seminary, at Nashotah, Wis., from which he graduated in 1876 with the degree of B. D. In 1878 he was sent to Peru, Ind., where he was rector until 1880, coming thence to Pine Bluff in July of that year, attracted largely by his extensive landed interests here. Since that time he has led almost a retired life, though he had charge of a church at Camden, and now has a small mission at Pendleton, which he serves once a month. October 9, 1879, Mr. Trimble married Maggie E. Dorris, daughter of one of the leading men of the South. She was a most estimable lady, well respected by all who knew her, and of rare personal attractions, but death claimed her October 18, 1888. She left two children, Robert W. and an infant. Mr. Trimble is a person of intellectual and noble individual characteristics, and during his residence here has won many friends.