Terwilliger, M.

TERWILLIGER, CONVERSE

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/23/2012 at 07:53:31

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

TERWILLIGER, M.—Bear Creek Twp—pg 853. Capitalist, Brooklyn. Was born in Sullivan county, New York, November 14, 1814. Was there raised and educated. His father, William Terwilliger, was an agriculturalist in that State. The family is of German and Holland lineage. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1832, locating in Huron county, where he engaged in farming for about four years. He then went to Branch county, Michigan, and engaged in the real estate business, remaining there for two years. He returned to Ohio and resided for a time, after which he engaged in the mercantile trade in Colwells Prairie, Wisconsin, for a short period. In 1846 he erected a store at Omro, Wisconsin, and was engaged in trade there for a number of years. After residing in different portions of Wisconsin until 1852, he came to Iowa and was for a time in the real estate business in Clarke county. He then removed to Illinois, residing at Moline and different parts of the State until 1873, when he came to Brooklyn, where he has since resided. 1879? [sic] he engaged in mercantile business, which he operated until 1878, when he retired from active business. He was married November 8, 1833, to Miss Betsey Converse, of Ohio, formerly of Connecticut. Mr. Terwilliger from early boyhood has been a close Biblical student. His progress may be inferred from the fact that he was licensed to preach while in trade at Omro, by the Baptist denomination, of which he has been a lifelong member. He built the first Baptist Church at Oshkosh, and was duly ordained at Neceda, July 13, 1853. Filled various calls in different portions of Illinois while a resident there, and supplied the Brooklyn Church for three months after he arrived here.