John Russell Twiss
TWISS, KINNICUT, BENTLEY, VAUGHN, BACON
Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 11/9/2024 at 09:31:34
John Russell Twiss was a 19th-century American who led a life spanning multiple states and two marriages. Born on June 30, 1811, in Arlington, Bennington County, Vermont, John was the son of John Russell Twiss (1775-1832) and Elizabeth Kinnicut (1777-1850). His birth in the early 19th century placed him in a period of significant American expansion and development.
## Early Life and First Marriage
At the age of 23, John married his first wife, Anna D. Bentley, on September 14, 1834, in Vermont. Anna, born on August 22, 1812, in Queensbury, Warren County, New York, was the daughter of Richard and Dinah (Vaughn) Bentley. This union marked the beginning of John's adult life and likely influenced his subsequent moves across the country.
## Westward Migration
John's life reflects the broader pattern of westward migration that characterized much of 19th-century America. By 1860, at the age of 49, John had moved to Brookfield Township in Clinton County, Iowa. This relocation was significant, demonstrating his participation in the expansion of the American frontier. He remained in Brookfield Township for at least a decade, as records show him still residing there in 1870.
## Return to Vermont and Second Marriage
Interestingly, the 1880 census places John back in Vermont, suggesting a return to his roots in his later years. However, this stay in his home state appears to have been temporary. In a surprising turn of events, John, at the age of 72, married for a second time. On May 7, 1884, he wed Emily Anna Bacon in Walworth, Wisconsin. Emily, born on June 22, 1850, in Spring Prairie, Walworth County, Wisconsin, was the daughter of Harvey Bacon and Elizabeth (Page) Bacon. This marriage, despite the significant age difference of 39 years, resulted in the birth of their son, Howard Bacon Twiss, in 1888.
## Later Life and Legacy
John Russell Twiss lived to the age of 80, passing away on March 7, 1892, in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa. He was laid to rest in Union Cemetery, Brookfield Township, Clinton County, Iowa, returning to the area where he had spent a significant portion of his adult life.
John's life story is a testament to the dynamic nature of 19th-century American society. From his birth in Vermont to his moves to Iowa, back to Vermont, and his connections to Wisconsin through his second marriage, John's journey reflects the mobility and adaptability of many Americans of his era. His late-in-life second marriage and fatherhood add a unique chapter to his biography, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life in that period.
The legacy of John Russell Twiss lives on through his descendants, including his son Howard Bacon Twiss (1888-1965), bridging the gap between the early 19th and mid-20th centuries. John's life serves as a fascinating window into the personal experiences that shaped the broader narrative of American expansion and development during a transformative period in the nation's history.
John Russell Twiss
Jackson Biographies maintained by Nettie Mae Lucas.
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