Torrance and his brothers and sisters to the United States when he was five years old and settled in Norwich, Connecticut.
    At age 14, David began to work in a cotton mill and the following year he began to work in a paper mill. He continued in that position until the Civil War broke out. On July 17, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A of the 18th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
    He was captured by the rebels after the battle at Winchester, Virginia, and sent to Libby Prison. Later he was sent to Belle Island, and on July 1863 was paroled and returned to the north.
    Torrance was then assigned captain of a black organization commanded by Hon. William B. Wooster of Derby. Torrance advanced to the position of Major in July, 1864. Later, in November of that year, he advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was mustered out with his regiment in October, 1865.
    Returning to Connecticut, Torrance entered the office of his superior officer, Colonel Wooster, as a law student. He continued in his studies until 1868, when he was admitted to the bar.
    Soon afterward he entered into partnership with Wooster, and a large and prosperous law firm was the result of this alliance.
   Torrance joined the Republican party and in 1871 was elected to represent the Town of Derby in the General Assembly. He was re-elected to the post in 1872. In 1878 he was elected to serve as Secretary of State, and in 1881 was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in New Haven. He later advanced to Judge of the Superior Court of the state, and in 1890 he was named to the Supreme Court of Errors.
    He was elected a member of the faculty at Yale.
    Torrance, the father of three children and a member of the Congregational Church in Birmingham, was prominent in the social life of the community.