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!
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| 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
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, 1848Adeline, 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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