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)

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©1980-82 Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas - private collection

Priscilla B Ashby Twining: Frontier Preacher's Wife and Nonagenarian (52 Ancestors #17)

Priscilla B Ashby Twining,  "Prissy", my third great grandmother, was born July 18, 1817. It is said that her father, Jesse Ashby, owned a plantation in the Cheat River area of what is now Preston County, West Virginia. Priscilla was the third of six children.

When Priscilla was 17 her family removed to Perry County, Ohio where her father rented a farm for several years. Dissatisfied with the country, in 1839 the family again packed up all their belongings and headed West to the newly incorporated Iowa Territory.

Conestoga or Pennsylvania Wagon 

It is told that in October of 1839 the family was loaded into an old Pennsylvania wagon with a four horse team along with ten milch cows for a 40 day journey through the wilderness. Priscilla was 22 at the time, her youngest brother was merely 4. Upon arrival in what is now Washington County the family overwintered in an old log cabin. There were but a few settlers squatting on the prairies of the new Territory when the Ashby's arrived.

Memories written by Priscilla's granddaughter include tales of the family fording the Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa.  Priscilla and her father traveling to Baltimore, Ohio to stock up on provisions such as flour, salt, etc. And Priscilla's recollection of looking out over the prairie as they crossed the Mississippi, seeing the tall grass meadow swaying in the breeze with orange colored flowers and wild roses, exclaiming "this must be the promised land".

The following spring Priscilla's father Jesse purchased 320 acres of newly acquired Government Land and proceeded to build a "fine farm".

Life in their new home was extremely difficult. Not only did they have to build virtually everything they needed themselves, they had to figure out food sources, fuel sources, medicinal sources. They were pioneers, others had not gone before them. The Native Americans were hostile, having just lost the Black Hawk War and neighbors were few and far between. [A really good Iowa History article can be found here.] 

In the 1840's the Methodist church began sending out circuit riders to travel through the settled portion of the state. It was one of those itinerant ministers, the Rev. E. W. Twining, that rode into town and won Priscilla's heart. Rev. Twining was a new widower with 6 very young children to care for. Priscilla had lots of experience caring for her younger siblings. It was a good fit.

On August 28, 1849, at the age of 32, Priscilla married Edward Wolcott Twining and began her life as a preacher's wife, and mother of 6!! I imagine her family was quite pleased that their spinster daughter finally found a husband!

In Iowa in the 1840's and 50's there was quite a lot of danger and disease. Scarlet Fever and Malaria were common killers, as were the frequent prairie fires that swept across the plains. Rev. Twining's first wife died, presumably of a fatal illness but it could also have been from childbirth, another frequent killer.

First Log Cabin at Fort Des Moines

The new family moved to Des Moines, Iowa soon after their marriage. Rev. Twining was assigned to minister to the people living around  Fort Des Moines, situated at the fork of the Mississippi and the Des Moines Rivers.  Priscilla recalled to her granddaughter the sight of soldiers stationed around the fort to protect the inhabitants from Indian attacks. It was here that Priscilla witnessed a great War Dance participated in by about 500 Indians on the "commons" where the Polk County Courthouse now stands. Could this have been a precursor to the Dakota Uprising?

One son was born to the couple, Jesse Twining, from whom I am descended. Twenty two days after Jesse's birth Priscilla's mother lost her life. She had been ill since the family moved to Ohio, it was the hope that in moving farther West she would regain her health. It was not to be so.

For the next twenty years the family moved around Iowa, as was the life of an itinerant preacher, but returned several times to Des Moines for extended periods.

In 1876, when advanced age made it necessary for Rev. Twining to retire from active duties in the ministry, the Twining's moved to the "City", Corning, Iowa, where they made their home with their son Jesse.

The couple enjoyed twenty more years together in their "retirement" age, helping their son Jesse and daughter in law Flora rear their four children. They were active members of the community and well liked by all.

In 1897 Priscilla lost her husband, he was 82.

Corning Iowa c1900

Sometime after 1900 the household welcomed another resident. Flora Twining's father, the Rev. Father Rowley. Several newspaper articles were written at the time about the unusual coincidence of the the two old folks, they shared the same birthday. Priscilla was one year Father Rowley's senior and for several years the local paper did a birthday story on the two on the anniversary of their birth.

Priscilla left this world on September 2, 1911 at the age of 94. Her obituary called her "one of those delightful characters to know and to love, she made many friends in Corning during her long residence here".

Priscilla is buried next to her husband in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Corning Iowa.



©2015 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

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. 

Sarah Kniffen Vredenburgh: Circuit Preacher's Wife (52 Ancestors #5)

Week five opens with yet another mysterious female ancestor. This week I point the spotlight on Sarah Kniffen Vredenburg(h), my fourth great grandmother. The name Kniffen is one of those that can, and has, been recorded in several different ways. Sarah's parents are UNK, making it just that much harder to verify her surname. My grandmother, the Genealogy Queen, had in her notes a question as to whether it was Kniffin or Kniffen. I have recently discovered that it might also be Sniffen or Sniffin. 

Yup.

Another good challenge designed to drive me, and others searching for Sarah crazy.

Let's see what we know, and leave the door wide open for new discoveries.

 Sarah Kniffen was born in Westchester Co, New York in July 1792, according to her monument marker on Find A Grave. Nothing is known of her childhood.

Sarah married Hackaliah Vredenburg(h), a Methodist minister, sometime before 1812, when the first of their children was born.  Some accounts claim they had eight children, other claim nine. I have been able to prove six and speculate on a seventh.

Sarah Kniffen Vredenburg's America

In 1817 the young family moved to Terra Haute, in the new State of  Indiana, but it was not to be a settled life. Sarah's husband was an itinerant preacher, a circuit rider, with an assigned territory of 300+ miles. Some of the memoirs written on Rev. Vredenburg tell of winters where there was no shelter for the family, no food to eat, "the pittance received from the people being barely sufficient to furnish them with clothing". This must have been a terribly hard life. Oft spoken of as "privations, dangers and toils of the itinerancy" I can nary imagine what this sort of life was like. Yet, Sarah lived it. I would imagine quietly and without complaint. Traveling from town to town, raising her children virtually alone while her husband was gone for days or weeks at a time, "organizing new societies and circuits, carrying the Gospel messages to the scattering settlements, and enduring all the exposures and privations of pioneer life." For further reading this book contains stories of life in early Indiana.

It is unclear as to when the Vredenburg's actually moved to Illinois, but by 1860 Sarah and her husband had settled in Vermillion County to live the retired life. It is said the Rev. Vredenburg enjoyed the time he had spent in Vermillion County while on his circuits. Several of Sarah's adult children are found in Vermillion Co, Illinois as early as 1845.

In 1869 Sarah lost her husband to what can be described as a heart attack.

In August 1870 a widowed Sarah had moved clear across the State of Illinois to reside with her daughter and son-in-law in McDonough, Illinois.

In September 1870 Sarah died. She was 78 years old.

She is buried with her husband in Vermillion County.

Sarah was just one of the uncounted thousands of strong, silent, resilient pioneer women whose stores go untold, but without whom the American frontier would not have been tamed. A Founding Mother who sadly will remain in the shadows of her husband and his accomplishments.

Thank you Sarah Kniffen Vredenburg. For your strength to plow through, despite the harshest of conditions.

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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