1831-1915
Adoniram Judson Twogood
Farmer/Horticulturalist NY/CA
(Compiler’s Note: I would love to give credit to someone who wrote this wonderful sketch of the life of Adoniram Judson Twogood but I cannot find the author. This biography is stored at accessgeneology and was written while Mr. Twogood was still alive. I have made a few edits to this original work and wish to thank the anonymous author for his/her good work which we enjoy today.)
Adoniram Judson Twogood is one of the original founders and members of the Southern California Colony Association, and among the pioneer settlers in Riverside, CA. He was a native of Onondaga County, New York, dating his birth in 1831. Mr. Twogood’s parents were natives of New York, and representatives of old families in that State. His father, Simeon Twogood, spent his life in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Twogood’s mother, before marriage, was Miss Harriet Hoag.
He was reared to farm labor and educated in the public schools. In 1855 he emigrated to Benton County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until the war of the Rebellion roused his patriotism and he entered the military service of the United States. He enlisted as a Sergeant in 1862 and fought in the Indian outbreaks in the northwest suppressing the uprisings while protecting the settlers. He served his full term of enlistment, and was honorably discharged in 1865.
In 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Coddington, a native of Michigan. He was successful in his business pursuits, and in 1870 became interested in the scheme of founding a model colony in Southern California. He joined the Southern California Colony Association and visited the lands selected in Riverside. Being much pleased with the location, and having a strong faith in the future of the Riverside colony, he decided to establish his home among them.
In June 1871, he moved his family to Riverside and purchased, in connection with his brother, D. C. Twogood, a twenty-acre tract on Prospect Avenue. He immediately commenced the clearing and preparing of his lands, and in 1872 entered heartily into horticultural pursuits, planting largely with walnuts and almonds. He was a thorough and successful horticulturist, and soon had one of the model orange-groves of Southern California. It is worthy of note that his original orange-grove of fourteen acres in 1888 produced a crop that was sold on the trees for $10,000.
Mr. Twogood’s residence is on Fourteenth Street, at which point he has a five-acre tract. Upon this he has erected a model home, a two-story residence of architectural beauty and finish, in which he has combined the comforts and luxuries that characterize a modern home. The well-ordered grounds abounding in beautiful lawns, ornamental trees and rare floral plants, attest the culture and refinement of the occupants. He is successful in his enterprises and ranks among Riverside’s wealthy citizens.
Mr. Twogood has always taken a great interest in the growth and prosperity of Riverside and in the establishment and support of schools and churches. He is a member of the Baptist Church and a trustee of the same. He was a member of the first Board of City Trustees, and prominent in establishing the municipal government. In political matters he is a Republican. He is a member of Riverside Post, No. 118, G. A. R. He has a family of two living children, living, Louie M. and Fred W.[1]
Adoniram Judson Twogood died 14 March 1915 and is buried in the Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside, CA.
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[1] “Adoniram Judson Twogood,” https://accessgenealogy.com/california/biography-of-adoniram-judson-twogood.htm