Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 471.
 
HIRAM TERWILLIGER

     who came to Oregon in 1845, was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 6, 1840,
the son of James Terwillger, one of the worthy and earliest pioneers of the city
of Portland. Mr. James Terwilliger married Miss Sophronia Hurd and had five
children, one of whom died in the East.
     The subject of this sketch, is next to the youngest of the above family,
was five years of age when the emigration to Oregon across the plains took
place. One of the children died on the way, and later in the journey also
the mother, and the father with his little children was left in a strange land.
Only two of the family are now living: Hiram and a sister who married Charles
Cartwright, and is now living in the eastern part of the State.  Mr.
James Terwilliger built the first house in Portland, and also the first
blacksmith shop.
     In the summer of 1848, Hiram was sent to years, he followed mining for a
time in Idaho and Oregon, both placer and quartz, making from $15 to $25 a day,
and sometimes as high as $50.  Returning to Portland, he took contracts and
furnished saw logs, and for a time made money in the business. Next he went on a
hunting and trapping expedition on the Columbia river, spending a winter
catching beaver, otter and mink. Then he spent some time prospecting for stone
coal; then for five years he was a sailor on the schooner Champion, making trips
between Tillamook bay and Portland. In 1870 he engaged in the grocery business
in Portland.  After awhile he moved to Tillamook, and was engaged in the dairy
business for six years.  Then he returned to his father's place, where he has
since been engaged as assistant in the management of their valuable real estate.
He has built several houses, and since 1886 he has been employed in developing
quartz mines at Elk City, where he has a valuable mine of his own and stock in
several others.
     In his political views Mr. Terwilliger is a Republican, but gives little
attention to politics. However, he takes considerable interest in
the educational interests of his community; has served as Clerk of the School
Board. He is a worthy and reliable citizen. Having now lived in Oregon
forty-seven years, he has seen this State grow from a howling wilderness to a
commonwealth of civilized luxury.
     In 1869 he married Miss Mary E. Edwards, a native of Iowa and the daughter
of Joseph Edwards, and they have had four children, namely: James T., Joseph R.,
Charlotte J. and Wirtney. Joseph was born in Tillamook, and the others
in Portland. All of them are at home with their parents.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.