David F. Crout is one of the progressive merchants and business men of Encampment, where he is engaged in dealing in implements and farm machinery. He was born in Brooklyn, Michigan, October 14, 1861, and is the only child of William and Melissa (Bryant) Crout. The father, now deceased, was a native of New York and was descended from Scotch and Dutch ancestry, the family having been founded in the Empire state in pioneer times. Removing westward, William Crout became one of the early settlers of Laramie, Wyoming, making the trip to this state as a United States soldier in 1866, being assigned to duty as guard to the stages on the overland trail. He participated in Indian fighting upon the frontier and assisted in the building of the early forts. He also established the first hotel in Laramie, known as the Frontier, and this he successfully conducted until 1881, after which he removed to Carbon county in 1884, taking up a ranch on Beaver creek, which he conducted until his death. He passed away in 1894, at the age of sixty-nine years, and in his passing Wyoming lost one of its most valued citizens–one who had taken a most active and helpful part in bringing about the pioneer development and progress of the state.
    The settler of today cannot realize the hardships and privations which the early pioneers had to meet. Cut off from the civilization of the east by the long stretches of sand and the mountains of the west, they had to depend upon their own labors and resources for all that they could secure; and besides, there was the constant menace of Indian attack. It required much personal bravery to meet such conditions and aid in planting the seeds of civilization upon the western frontier. With this work Mr. Crout was closely connected and the state owes to him a debt of gratitude for what he accomplished in the work of general improvement and advancement. His wife was born in Steuben county, New York, and represented one of the old families of the Empire state of French and Irish lineage. They were married in Michigan and Mrs. Crout passed away in that state in 1897, at the age of sixty-eight years.
    David F. Crout of this review removed to Laramie on the building of the railroad. He crossed the Missouri river at Omaha on the ferry and proceeded by Union Pacific Railway westward to his destination, reaching Laramie in the fall of 1869. He completed his education in the schools of Laramie, and at the age of twenty-one years started out in business on his own account. He took up a homestead and desert claim on Beaver creek, which he at once began to develop and improve. He carried on general farming and also engaged in raising stock there until 1912. In 1914 he became associated with W. E. Tilton, of Saratoga, Wyoming, in the establishment of the implement and farm machinery business in which they have since been engaged.
    In 1902, in the city of New York, Mr. Crout was united in marriage to Miss Etta Brown, a native of Illinois and a daughter of the late George R. Brown, who was one of the early residents of Rock Island, Illinois, where Mrs. Crout was reared and educated.
    Politically Mr. Crout is a republican and served as the first water commissioner of District No. 7, being connected with the office for seven years. He was also a member of the school board and served in that capacity until 1917, acting as treasurer of the board for a number of years. Fraternally he is well known as a representative of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge and to the chapter, having been made a Mason in Encampment Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of The Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He stands for advancement and improvement in all things relating to the public welfare and the work which was begun by his father in pioneer times is being carried forward by the son, who has ever recognized his duties and obligations as well as his privileges of citizenship and has labored to advance the welfare of the community and the state in which he lives.