Husband of Louisa Bush.

An article written by Edwin L. Trussell Sr. and was published in the Dallas Morning News on Sunday, December 31, 1922. Mr. Trousdale died in 1923 at the age of 98 and is buried in the Kempner Cemetery in south-east Lampasas County.

Matthew Cowan Trousdale was born in Smith County Tennessee on February 17, 1825 where he grew to manhood. When the United States declared war on Mexico May 11, 1846, and a call was issued for Volunteers, he promptly offered his services.
He enlisted in Company H under Captain W.B. Walton and fought with Gen. Zachery Taylor at Monterey, with Gen. Winfield Scott at Cerro Gordo, Mexico City and Chapultepec. He was wounded in a peculiar manner at Cerro Gordo. A companion being wounded, fell and the bayonet on his rifle pierced Trousdale's leg.
At the close of the war Trousdale returned to Tennessee and was married on April 6, 1853 to Miss Louisa Bush. He moved with his family in 1857 and settled in Burnet County. Later they moved to McCullough County where he engaged in stock farming.
During the Civil War Trousdale commanded a company of nineteen Rangers known as the "Minute Company" whose duty was to guard the frontier against the Indians. He was, during this time, engaged in many skirmishes and several hard fights with Indians. At one time, while scouting with three of his men in McCullough County they were attacked by a band of Indians and one of the men was severely wounded. After routing, the Indians, they returned to their wounded companion, placed him on a mule and took him home. There, they helped nurse him until he recovered from his wounds.
Mrs. Louisa Trousdale died on January 17, 1911. To this union was born eleven children, three of whom are living as this is written. At this time there are 37 Grandchildren, 39 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren. Grandpa Trousdale, or "Pap" as he is familiarly called, resides with his only son, Curtis B. Trousdale, near Kempner, Texas. At 97 years of age his mind alert and his body erect. He delights in talking about the events of his long and eventful life.[JCdillard.GED]

On the 1910 census, Matthew was listed as a man of his "own means" who rented his home and was able to read and write English.
Had been a member of the Confederate Army. He was a Private in Company H, 1st Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers. Fought in the Mexican War.