James Edward TERWILLEGER (d. 1948), Sanford, Seminole County, Florida

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Helen Terwilleger Zebley,
zmomndad@rose.net

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TERWILLEGER, PIONEER CELERY GROWER DIES AT 75
(March 6, 1948)

James Edward Terwilleger, 75, pioneer celery grower of Sanford, died Saturday evening 
at a local hospital after having been taken suddenly ill during the afternoon at his 
home on 709 Oak Avenue. He was born in Ramsey, New Jersey April 23, 1872 and came to 
Sanford in 1883 and spent part of his childhood here, later returning to New York State. 
He was called back to Sanford in 1895 due to the illness of his father, Isaac Terwilleger.

With his father, he later began the experimental growing of celery with plants from New 
Jersey and was one of the first three growers to ship a car of celery out of Sanford. He 
farmed until 1910 when he opened a concrete plant where he began experimenting with making 
pockets for the irrigation of celery land. Later he developed the pocket that has been 
used for successful irrigation of celery.

Mr. Terwilleger was a member of the First Methodist Church, of the Elks Lodge, and had he 
lived, would have been a member of the Masonic Order for fifty years. He was Worshipful 
Master of the Masonic Lodge during four years starting in 1901; High Priest of Royal Arch 
Monroe Chapter for six years; Past Eminent Commander of the Olivette Commandery of Orlando; 
member of Morocco Temple and Scottish Rite and life member of all Masonic Bodies. He is 
survived by the widow, Mrs. J. E. Terwilleger (nee Helen Louise Leavitt); one daughter, Mrs. 
P.R. (Helen) Stephenson; three sons, Eugene of Chester, Pa., John T. of Chattanooga, Tenn., 
and James Edward, Jr. of Sanford; one sister, Mrs. James (Lizzie) Smith of Sewell, N.J.; two 
granddaughters, Helen Louise Terwilleger of Chester, Pa. and Gail Terwilleger of Chattanooga 
and one grandson, James Brock Terwilleger of Sanford. Funeral services for Mr. Terwilleger 
will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock at the Erickson Funeral Home with Rev. J. E. 
McKinley officiating. All Masons of Lodge #62 are requested to meet at the Lodge at 2:15 
o'clock to attend the service in a body. Leo M. Stephenson of Orlando Lodge #69 will serve as 
acting Master in charge of graveside services in Lake View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be 
members of the Masonic Lodge.

(Note from "Sanford As I Knew It 1912-1935" by Peter Schaal.
The year 1913 opened with a bang, as the Atlantic Coast Line officially dedicated the new 
brick passenger station on west Ninth Street (long since torn down). Ceremonies were marred 
by word that J. E. Terwilleger, well-known contractor, had fallen beneath a train. A few days 
later, his leg had to be amputated." Isn't it ironic that J. E. lost a leg accidentally, just 
as his father, Isaac had in 1899.)