Born on May 1, 1826, at Montgomery, Orange County, New York. His parents were Stephen and Mary (Gregory) Trusdell. After receiving a common-school and academic education, he served his time with a silversmith and afterward went to New York, engaging for a number of years as a salesman and commercial traveler for a dry goods house. In 1855, he removed to Iowa City, and as the senior member of the firm of Trusdell & Cary carried on a profitable trade for two years. He then sold out his business and, in deference to his mother's wishes and his own inclinations, entered the ministry, serving in Marshalltown, Davenport and Clinton, Iowa, acting during one year of the War as chaplain of the 2d Iowa Cavalry. In 1868, he was appointed presiding elder of the Iowa City district. During his residence in Iowa he was elected representative for Clinton County in the General Assembly of the State. Subsequently he was appointed pastor of the Grant Place Methodist Church of Chicago, and remained there until the great fire of 1871. Since then he has devoted himself to the work of relieving the deserving poor of the city, being appointed to his present position in the spring of 1872. In October, 1885, he was appointed presiding elder of the Chicago District, and resigned his position as superintendent of the Relief Society.