Notes From My Grandmother | Rowley Lineage and Genealogy, Part 4

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.

Rowley Family Story con't ....

More on Rev. R C Rowley ~ writings, meditations, observations 

FOR WORLD PEACE 

Rev. R. C. Rowley a minister for 70 years 

(newspaper article - unsourced - St Louis MO area)

To have lived 90 years and to have spent as many of them in ministerial service as are allotted to man Biblically for a lifetime is the record of Rev. R C Rowley, who is here on a visit to his daughter, Mrs Wilcox, 406 North Tenth St. Rev. Mr. Rowley preached the morning sermon at the Second Presbyterian Church Sunday, and interested his audience greatly.

His 90 years have given him snow white hair, but have not robbed him of interest and vigor. He can talk very entertainingly of his early days in the Indiana wilderness, preaching for the hardy emigrants who were pushing the limits of the New World civilization westward. He is a pronounced optimist, and finds the world a better and more pleasant place these latter days of his life than in the early days, better in every sense - physically, morally and spiritually. There is no desire on Rev. Rowley's part to go back to the 'good old days', and no uncertain note in his commendation of present days.

Sitting erectly in his arm chair as a military man, the Rev. Rowley, of whom one scarcely feels it appropriate to speak as aged, chatted genially, giving his reasons for thinking the world better.

"I've gone thru life with my eyes and ears open," he said smiling, "and I've seen these things. The world had improved almost beyond words in the matter of temperance. Every man, in my young days, kept whiskey, and no raising or harvesting could be had without it. Why, even the children were lined up on cold mornings to get their portions of whiskey. Then, too, profanity was more common. And neighbors have better feelings nowadays. We don't have so many neighborhood feuds and so many family quarrels that involve whole neighborhoods. But the greatest advance of all is in common humanity - the feeling people have for unfortunates, and the feeling among nations that is leading to such things, that is leading to peace conferences and their work. This will be the big work of the coming era." said Rev. Rowley, concluding a chat on current events on which he keeps thoroughly posted, and in which he takes a keen interest.

"World peace will shortly be an accomplished thing", and a hopeful smile lighted the face, browned so thoroughly in early years of exposure that it could never lose it's tan. "We are on the road toward ending wars."

 ~ 9/29/1808

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Rev R C Rowley is one of the most interesting characters we have ever met. He is interesting largely from the fact that he has lived 92 years and has a mind as clear as many a man's who is only 50. He has always taken a great interest in current events. Think if it. Born the year Illinois, then a wild country and inhabited largely by Indians, was admitted in the Union. There were no railroads, anf the steamboat was in it's infancy. He saw the first steamboat the plied on Lake Erie. He attended the first temperance meeting ever held where people were asked to sign the pledge. In those days when the minister mad a ministerial call the demijohn was set out and the preacher had to take a drink to be social. Mr Rowley knew Lincoln and Douglas well and has been in court when they practiced. He was through the abolition days and knows all about the underground railroad. He says the many changes that have come in his time make him feel almost as if he was living in another world. If times were reversed and the railroad, the telegraph, the telephone, the binder, the mower, threshing machine and all modern machinery were taken away from the present generation and we were set back to the conditions under which Rev Rowley started life we would certainly conclude that this is another world.

~Aledo, Illinois Record

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SEES COMET SECOND TIME

Corning has a resident who saw the famous Haley's comet on the occasion of that heavenly wanderers visit to the earth in 1835, and also has viewed it at the present time. (1909) That person is Rev R C Rowley. He is now nearly 92 years of age. He tells us that it does not appear to be as bright now as it was 75 years ago. Mr Rowley also told us of a famous German astronomer who became so excited while making his observations of the comet that he fainted, and the work had to be completed by an assistant. Mr Rowley said that the astronomer had figured that the comet and the earth would have a collision and that calculation came very near being correct, as the two bodies passed the point in space within two minutes of each other.

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Religious Meditation by Rev R C Rowley

(New Year's Eve?)

1st) There are times when we should drop the activities of life for a season, and think seriously, meditate carefully, especially in the evening twilight of the dying year. Tonight we stand upon the point that divides ninety-three from ninety-four, a favorable time to pause and review the past; to meditate upon the scenes through which we have been brought during the year now closing, the trials, disappointments, sorrows, opportunities, joys and mercies. They are all gone, gone forever never to return.

2nd) Meditate upon the responsibilities, obligations and opportunities of the present. Now is the time to form real resolutions, repent of former errors and commence the new life.

3rd) Meditate upon the future. It may be out last year in this world. What are our hopes and prospects for the life that now is and that to come.

........ to be continued ........

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

©1980-82 Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas - private collection

Notes From My Grandmother | Twining Lineage and Genealogy, Part Eleven

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light!

The Twining Papers

The Twinings held a special fascination for my Grandmother. Her middle name was Twining. Her mother was a Twining. She drank Twining's tea, as did the rest of our family. I'm unclear as to the link between our family and the Twining's Tea Company, however. Our Twining ancestor came to the 'New World' c.1640 and has been recorded in the small book Genealogy of the Twining family : descendants of William Twining, Sr, who came from Wales or England.

Of all the research I inherited, the Twining collection is by far the most expansive. My grandmother wrote 'stories' and typed up other little sketches on them. I will present them to you here, as written by her.

Twining Story, cont.

Assorted Obituaries


Edward W Twining - Corning, May 21st 1897

At the extreme age of 84 died at his home at Corning, Iowa May 24,1897, at 5 pm. Edward W Twining was born in Tolland Mass Oct 5 1814, and in 1815 came to Granville Ohio, where he lived until the age of 12 years. He was the 5th child of the family, one daughter and 5 sons. After the schooling of his boyhood he pursued a course of study at the Ohio University, and subsequently at the theological course at Lane Seminary during Lyman Beecher's connection with that institution. On the 3rd day of February 1840, he was united in marriage to Adeline Weed, and about that time commenced his ministerial career which spanned 40 years. For several years his service was given to the Presbyterian Church.
There were born to them in Ohio 5 children, 3 of whom died, another, L Twining,who died in our city about two years past, and the only one left is the Dr E T Twining, of Sheldon, Iowa.
In the spring of 1847 he came to Muscatine, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching school. At the conclusion of his term of school he became a supply on the Richmond Circuit, thus commencing his career as a Methodist itinerant. During this year two notable events happened; the death of his wife at Washington Iowa, Jan 3rd 1848, and his ordination as deacon at the hands of Bishop Morris, which took place at the session at the Iowa conference in Aug.
One year elapsed in which he continued pastor of Richmond circuit, and then on Aug 28th 1849, he married Priscilla B Ashby.
In the year of 1849 he was sent to Washington Iowa where he served for one year.
Here on the 5th of Aug was born a son, Jesse L who now resides at Corning Iowa.
He was ordained elder by Bishop Hamiline in Aug 1850. The list of appointments continues as follows: 1850-52, Marion and Cedar Rapids; 1852-53 Tipton; 1853-54 Iowa City;1854-56 Des Moines; 1856 supernumerary; 1857-61 presiding elder of Muscatine district; 1861-63 Lexington circuit; 1863-65 Muscatine circuit. He then took a superannuated relation, located, and in 1876 came to Corning, Iowa where he lived up to the time of his death.
It will  be seen from his character of his appointments that his talents and devotion as a preacher more than ordinary. Could his unwritten life be unfolded there would appear many deeds of self sacrifice, many triumphs of faith which cause him to be held in higher esteem, and gave him a place in the hearts of the people whom he has served. He was wide awake to the great interests of the church and was always ready to shout on the victory. He became intimately associated with the location and foundry of Cornell College at Mount Vernon and personally secured the first notable teacher of that institution.
In recent years he kept himself in touch with the great missionary movements of the church and was often heard to exclaim after reading of some great triumph like the establishing of a new mission or the founding of Protestantism in Rome, "what hath God wrought?"
During the years of his location here he has ever been a warm friend of the pastor, without jealousy, rendering such assistance as was in his power. Having suffered from a partial paralysis some years ago he has been in quite feeble health, but up to the last week of his life has been able to be about the house and occasionally on the streets. He passed through the infirmities of age with a patience which knew no complaint and gave the clearest evidence that though his sun was setting was not obscured with clouds.



Jan 3, 1848

Adeline, wife of Rev. E W Twining, was born in Wayne Co, Ohio. Her father's house was a preaching place in early times, where she received an early religious education. Professing religion in 1836, she joined the Presbyterian church of which her father, Bartholomew Weed, was a member. May 1841 she was united in marriage to Edward W Twining and they continued as members of that church until 1842 when both joined M E church. Some three or four years since they came to Iowa and brother Twining, some time after, was employed in the itinerary.
They continued to prosecute the duties, and bear the toil peculiar to their work together, till a few weeks since, when sister Twining was called from labor to rest. Sister Twining was just such a companion as an itinerant needs in a new country, prudent, economical, kind, affectionate and religious. She has won her way to the affection of the friends generally and her praise is in the several charges where they have traveled.
But in the prime of life, being about thirty one years of age and having a couple of small children that especially needed her care, a mysterious Providence has taken her and no doubt His name should be blessed. What He does we know not now but we shall know hereafter. This is the way on earth, especially in the itinerary of a new country. We leave our home to return in a few days.
Rev Twining was away from home at the time of his wife's death and did not know of illness until she was 'cold in death'. But the intelligence comes, our beloved ones are gone and the family circle, with all it's ties, suddenly broken up. May we so live that "in glory we'll link it again".


J L Twining 4 -13 -33

Mr Twining was the son of a Presbyterian minister and a graduate of Northwestern University medical college. His wife died four months ago. Mr Twining who had made his home in Corning, Ia for forty years, was a past master of the Masonic Lodge at Corning. He was also a Knight Templer and a Shriner.
Jesse Louis Twining was born August 4, 1850 at Washington, Iowa and passed away at the home of his daughter in Des Moines, April 7, 1933 at the age of 82 years, 8 months, and 2 days. He was a son of a pioneer Methodist minister who came to Iowa in 1840. Mr Twining's early life was  spent in several Iowa towns. For a couple of years his home was neat the site of the old Fort Des Moines. He united with the church at an early age and was educated in the Washington, Iowa schools, Iowa Wesleyan, and Northwestern Medical School in Chicago.
Mr Twining was married October 25, 1876 to Flora Dell Rowley who preceded him in death just four months ago. To this union four children were born. These are Mrs I A Potwin of Des Moines, with whom the father and mother have made their home for the past seven years; Mrs E E Williams, deceased; Mrs J E Hydeman of Piqua, Ohio and one son, M C Twining of Ottumwa, Iowa. Besides the three children who survive Mr Twining there are 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Mr Twining practiced medicine and surgery for several years, settling in Corning, Iowa in 1874, where he owned and operated a drug store. Thirty years of his later life were spent as a travelling salesman. Mr and Mrs Twining were residents of Corning for over 50 years and Mr Twining was a member of the Masonic order for more that 57 years. He belonged to the Blue Lodge and Eureka Chapter No 77 at Corning, the Bethany Commandery at Creston and the Kaaba Temple of the Shrine at Davenport.



Mrs Potwin Dead at 88

Mrs Carrie Elizabeth Potwin, 88, an early organizer of the Camp Fire Girls in Des Moines, died Wednesday night at the Americana Nursing Center, 300 Laurel St, of complications from a stroke she suffered several months ago. Mrs Potwin, a native of Corniing, Became associated with the Camp Fire Girls in 1917, four years after its founding here, and was the first chairman of the Camp Fire Leaders Association and the second president of the Greater Des Moines Council of Camp Fire Girls.
She was the first Des Moines representative on the National Camp Fire Girls Board and served as chairman of Region VII Council.
Mrs Potwin, a Des Moines resident 50 years, was a member of the Des Moines Women's Club and a charter member of Plymouth Congregational Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs Albert H Adams of Des Moines and Mrs Robert Thomas of Pacific Palisades Calif.; a sister, Mrs Earl Hydeman of Piqua, Ohio; a brother, Merrick Twining of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren [one great great grandson]
Services are pending at Dunn's Funeral Home on Grand Avenue, Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery.

(October 1969)

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

©1980-82 Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas - private collection

Rhoda Ann Vredenburg Rowley: Following In Her Mother's Footsteps (52 Ancestors #14)

Rhoda Ann Vredenburg was born March 4, 1818 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Her father was Reverend Hackaliah Vredenburg, her mother Sarah Kniffen. She was the second daughter born to the couple, and one of nine children. Rhoda's father was a circuit rider for the Methodist ministry and was often gone for long stretches of time. Her childhood in the wilderness of Indiana was one of hardship, scarcity and lack.

In September 1840 Rhoda married Reverend Rossiter Clark Rowley. Rossiter was a fresh young Methodist circuit rider from Ohio who had, sometime after 1838, been assigned to preach in Putnam County, Indiana.

The newly married couple made their home in Greencastle, Indiana "for a season", which based on the birth of their first two children was at least 5 years. It is recorded that Reverend Rowley was called to missionary work in Illinois, and their youngest child was born in Peoria in 1857.

I can only imagine the life Rhoda must have had up to this point. Growing up in the desolate wilderness of a brand new State, being cold and hungry for much of her young life. She was a devout Christian which must have been the appeal to marry a man just like her "dear old dad". She learned at the heels of her mother how to be a preacher's wife, so I imagine the role came naturally to her when she began her own married life. The big city of Peoria, Illinois must have, at first, seemed strange and frightening.

Rhoda and Rossiter had five children in all, but research to date has only uncovered three named children. The assumption is that two children died in childbirth or early infancy.

By 1853 Rev. and Mrs. Rowley had acquired 20 acres of land a mile outside of Peoria and had built a "neat little cottage".  There is an account of the virgin land being plowed by a team of oxen and a considerable orchard being planted. Rhoda must have been very happy at this seemingly idyllic life after so much hardship in her youth.

Sometime around 1860 Rhoda's husband transferred his membership to the Presbyterian Church and was performing missionary work once again. The family is found in Galesburg, Illinois until the 1870's.

In 1876 the family uproots again. This time to Adams County Iowa. Rev. Rowley was in charge of organizing the Presbyterian churches in Brooks and Nodaway, Iowa.

Nothing is written of Rhoda's life, save for her obituary, so I must tell her story through the documentation of her husband. In Rhoda's later years she was an invalid. Often during her years of suffering physicians despaired, as did her friends. It is recorded that Rhoda bore her suffering with Christian fortitude and uncomplainingly.

Rhoda died in her home on December 10, 1890. She was 72 years old. Her last days were spent pain free and she died as if falling asleep. Her last words were "come Jesus, come".


footnote: all of the accounts recorded her were the collected writings of my grandmother during her genealogical research work - all credit goes to Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas. 

Anna Merriman Busby: Who's Your Daddy? (52 Ancestors #8)

Anna Merriman Busby is my 3rd great grandmother. Another female brick wall. A really tough one. There are quite a few people looking for her parents. There is a great deal of confusion surrounding the facts that have been discovered. This will be a short post.

Anna Merriman (or Merryman) was born 28 July 1807 according to her headstone on Find A Grave. Census records indicate she was born in Maryland.


Anna Merriman married John Wisner Busby in Harrison Co OH in April of 1826.


By 1840 the couple was residing in Carroll Co OH, where they remained until death. It is reported that they had 14 children.


Anna is buried in the Palermo Cemetery on the grounds of the former Palermo Methodist Protestant Church in Carroll Co, OH.

Over the years there has been lots of talk, theories, speculation on who Anna's father was. Some say it was Micajah "Cage" Merryman/Merriman. This has been discredited as "Cage" and his wife Sophia Snyder were actually married four years after Anna was born. "Cage" and Sophia did have a daughter named Anna and did live in Ohio in 1820, hence the confusion. There has also been another name bandied about, "Page" Merriman, but I am unclear as to the origin of this line of thought.

I must admit I have been away from this branch of the family for several years. With the Genealogy Do-Over I am jumping back in and working my maternal line once again.

So the questions remain.

Who is Anna Merriman's father?

How did she get from Maryland to Ohio, and why?

When did she arrive in Ohio? Was she an adult or a child?

She's buried in a Methodist cemetery, was she a member of the Methodist church?

To date there are a lot more questions than answers. I hope with time, and as more and more records are being discovered, we will one day know who Anna Merriman Busby's daddy was!

Hackaliah Vredenburg: Brick Wall Ancestor

I've decided to finally undertake my grandmother's biggest Brick Wall, my 4th great grandfather the Reverend Hackaliah Vredenburg. Here is all I have found so far:

 Memoirs. Rev. Hackaliah Vredenburg. 

 "Rev. Hackaliah Vredenburgh was born in Westchester county, N. Y., May 10, 1790, and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. Rowley, in Wisconsin, January 23, 1869.

 In 1817 he settled at Terre Haute, Ind. In 1830 he united with the Missouri Conference. His first appointment was Okaw Circuit. In 1821 the Illinois Conference was formed, Bro. Vredenburg being one of the original thirty-two members, of who two only are now left, the venerable Peter Cartwright, of Illinois, and Aaron Wood, of Indiana. He was returned the second year to Vermillion: in 1825 his appointment was Crawfordsville, and the next fall he was granted a location. In 1831 he was re-admitted into the Illinois Conference and appointed to Logansport mission. The next year the Indiana Conference was formed, and his field of labor being within its bounds, he became a member of it, and continued identified with the conferences of Indiana until his death. In 1832 he was appointed to Washington Circuit, 1833 to Lafayette, 1834 and 5, to Pine Creek, 1836 to Monticello Mission, 1837 to Dayton, 1838 and 9 to Greencastle. In 1840 he received a superannuated relation, which he retained until death with the exception of one year, 1851, when he traveled in Prairieville Circuit.

 Most of Bro. Vredenburg’s itinerant life was spent in the Valley of the Wabash. From its mouth almost to its source he preached, organizing new societies and circuits, carrying the Gospel messages to the scattering settlements, and enduring all the exposures and privations of pioneer life. In one of his charges no house could be had to shelter his wife and children while he traveled his circuit of three or four hundred miles round. Rather than leave his work, he took possession of a deserted log stable, and fitting it up with his own hands made that the parsonage for the year. At other times he was compelled on his rest days to cultivate a small piece of ground to supply his family with food, the pittance received from the people being barely sufficient to furnish them with clothing. But amid all these privations and dangers this faithful minister was always at his post, rarely missing an appointment and never deserting his trust.

 He was much attached to Vermillion county. One of the first, if not the very first to carry the Gospel there, for he preached at Butler’s Point as early as 1823, when failing health hoping there to spend the remainder of his days. But as age and increasing infirmities came upon him he was compelled to break up housekeeping and spend his time with his children. His sight had become dim and his body exceedingly feeble, yet his mind was clear and strong, and the memory of the incidents and labors of his itinerant life unimpaired. On the day before he died he was attacked with a severe pain in the chest which continued about thirty-six hours, when death released him from his sufferings. When told by his physician that he could live but a little while and that he had better prepare to die, he replied. “I have been doing so all my life.” His aged companion, who shared with him the privations and toils of the itinerancy for near fifty years, still survives."

 Source: Memoirs. Rev. Hackaliah Vredenburg. Methodist Episcopal Church. Minutes. North Western Indiana Conference. 1869. 18th. P. 32.

 This should be an interesting ride!


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