This amazing woman, a milliner by trade, survived catastrophe after catastrophe and went on to flourish as a businesswoman and a mother.

In the County of Wicklow, Ireland, on October 6, 1817, Alice Twamley was born. She was the second eldest of ten children. She received her baptism and was confirmed in the Episcopal church in Shillelegh, Ireland. On February 10, 1836, Alice married her cousin, Peter Twamley (b. 1811). That same year, Alice and Peter came to America and settled near Chelsea, Michigan. Alice and Peter had three children, Bessie born in 1837, Sarah born in 1839 and Thomas born in 1841. In 1842, Peter died leaving Alice with three small children  to support.

It was in 1843 that Alice moved her children to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and there started a small business in the millinery line to maintain herself and babies. In the years that followed, Alice found herself facing complete financial ruin not once but several times. After each disaster, she came back stronger and bigger than before.

Albert Baxter, in his book, The City of Grand Rapids, tells this about her:

"A few years later Mrs. Alice Twamley started a shop in a small wood building on Crescent avenue, about where now is the east end of the Grinnell block. In January, 1845, she was burned out there, suffering a total loss of everything except the clothes in which she and her children escaped from the flames. Kind neighbors quickly found her a roof and wherewith to begin anew. Hers is an example of marked success in the millinery line. After two or three removes she established a permanent and profitable business on premises which she had purchased at the northeast corner of Canal and Lyon streets, fronting the former. Here again she was tried by fire, but this time had accumulated some means, and erected a three-story brick block. This last also burned May 1, 1866, but the indomitable woman, who, by twenty years of close application and labor and careful savings, had worked her way from the verge of poverty to the ownership of a fine property, was again equal to the crisis, and rebuilt, this time a four-story block with the later improvements, which she subsequently extended to Kent alley. It is a success well earned, by steady industry and shrewdness and persistence; an example of woman's capacity and ability in business life."

In Mrs. Twamley's obituary in the Herald, it tells how she awoke to find her home engulfed in flames and had only enough time to "open a window and toss her children out into the snow." It also tells of her relationship with the Indians of this time and place. "Mrs. Twamley conducted a small store on the present site of the City Trust and Savings Bank. The Indians went to the small store to receive payments from the government and at night the red men would sleep upon the ground anywhere about the yard. Mrs. Twamley did not fear the Indians as she made it her practice to gain their good will and they did not molest her."

And further states, "Losing all in the fire she started anew and on rented ground built a small building on the northwest corner of what then was Canal and Lyon streets. One spring the river flooded this house to a depth of three feet on the first floor. By good business ability, determination and hard work, Mrs. Twamley saved enough to buy the lot and in 1866 erected the brick building that now stands on the lot.

There is an incident connected with the purchase which showed Mrs. Twamley's courage and business sagacity. After leasing this property she arranged with the agent to have firm refusal of the purchase and being granted that, she erected a frame building. A few years later, when the agent was expected from New York, Mrs. Twamley had the money ready for the purchase.

At that time, the railroads did not extend to Grand Rapids but stopped at Ionia. A Grand Rapids businessman learning that the land agent was coming, rode on horseback to Ionia, purchased the same property at the price originally asked, then went to Mrs. Twamley, stated that he was the new owner of the property and charged her 50 per cent advance upon the original price. Although she knew that she had been badly imposed upon, she also realized that the property was sure to increase in value and she bought it. It was only a few years before she realized the wisdom of her venture for the property doubled many times in value."

It was in 1879 that Alice buried her daughter Sarah M. in Oakhill cemetery. Sarah never married. In 1911, Alice buried her son, Thomas, in the same place.

Alice Twamley was a staunch Episcopalian and identified herself with St. Mark's pro-cathedral upon coming to Grand Rapids. She had been one of its most earnest workers and her presence at the seventy-five anniversary of the church in October, 1911, was one of the interesting features of the program. At the time, she was the oldest member of the church.

About 1908, Mrs. Twamley suffered a fall resulting in a fractured hip. This, with a complication of pneumonia, caused Mrs. Twamley's death on May 30, 1912, at her residence on (old) South Lafayette street. In spite of her age, Mrs. Twamley had enjoyed remarkably good health until her last illness. Mrs. Twamley was survived by her daughter, Miss Bessie Twamley, one brother, Rev. James Twamley of Bedford, England, a niece, Miss Alyce M. Twamley and a nephew she treated as a son, he having been a member of her household all his life, Fred A. Twamley.

Mrs. Twamley was 94 years old at her death and a resident of Grand Rapids for nearly 70 years. Mrs. Twamley is buried with her family in Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.