From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 720-721

Jonas Twichell, Jr., resides on the northwest quarter of section 9, Jackson Township, where his father, Jonas Twichell, settled in 1836. The latter was born in Oxford, Salem Co., Conn., in 1800; his wife, whose maiden name was Malinda Scott, was born in Simsbury, Conn., March 12, 1802. They moved when children with their parents to Chenango County, N. Y., and were there married. Mr. Twichell was reared a farmer but learned the stone-engraver's trade at which he worked a number of years. In 1833 he moved to Catskill, N. Y., and in 1835 came to Steuben County and located land and the following year moved his family to their new home. A log cabin had been built and a few acres were ready for the plow; with this exception no improvements had been made on the land. In their rude log cabin Mr. and Mrs. Twichell contributed as best they could to the comfort of strangers who came to the county seeking a new home. They made the farm in Jackson Township their home till 1856 when they moved to Orland where they still live, the oldest couple living who came to the county in or prior to 1836. Their family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters; three were born in Steuben County, and six are still living -- Harriet, wife of John Thompson, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Clarissa, wife of D. H. Roberts, of Orland; Jonas, Jr.; Marcus, of California; Sterling, of Orland, and Bliss, of Mill Grove Township. Jonas Twichell, Jr., has owned and occupied the homestead since March 17, 1858. He married Catherine Johnson, daughter of Harvey Johnson. She died May 5, 1866, leaving three children -- Augusta, wife of William Craig; Eugene, in Minneapolis, Kan., and Harvey, deceased. Mr. Twichell's present wife was Ann Milner, a native of Scotland, daughter of Ebenezer Milner. To them have been born four children -- Victor, Bertice, Benjamin and Charles. Jonas Twichell, Sr., was a member of the first Board of Commissioners of Steuben County.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com