Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Dexter Edgar Converse

In Memorium

Photographed by Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

1. Dexter Edgar Converse Monument -
Front

Inscription.
[Front Inscription]: Founder of this College
Born in Swanton, Vermont
April 21, 1829
Died in Spartanburg, South Carolina
October 4, 1899
[Reverse Inscription]: "Oh, it is great -- and there
is no other greatness -- to make
one nook of God's creation more
fruitful. Better. More worthy
of God; to make some human
heart a little wiser, nobler,
happier, more blessed."

Erected 1900 by Trustees, Faculty and Students of Converse College.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1898.

Location. 34° 57.253′ N, 81° 55.006′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 29) and Mills Avenue, on the left when traveling north on East Main Street. Marker is located inside the main entrance to the college. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 580 East Main Street, Spartanburg SC 29302, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Converse College (a few steps from this marker); Converse Heights (a few steps from this marker); Marian Anderson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (about 500 feet away); Trinity Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, S.C. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Church of the Advent (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Church of the Advent (approx. half a mile away); Daniel Morgan Avenue (approx. half a mile away); Barnet Park (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.

Regarding Dexter Edgar Converse. When Edgar Converse died in 1899, he was buried in front of Main Hall, as he had requested. Later Helen Converse had her husband's body re-interred in nearby Oakwood Cemetery. [Founder's Monument] was placed just inside the main entrance to the college. (Source: Converse College by Jeffrey R. Willis (2001), pg 8.)

Also see . . .
1. Converse College. Official website of Converse College. (Submitted on August 3, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Wikipedia entry for Converse College. Converse is a is a

Dexter Edgar Converse Monument -<br>Reverse<br>Time Capsule at Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, February 14, 2011

2. Dexter Edgar Converse Monument -
Reverse
Time Capsule at Base

liberal arts women's college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Submitted on August 3, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Biography of Dexter Edgar Converse
Converse was born in Swanton, Vermont, the son of Olin and Louisa Converse. He was a direct descendent of Edmund Converse who arrived in 1630 with Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts. His father was a woolen manufacturer, but died when Dexter was only three. An uncle in Canada, who was also in the woolen business, raised him. At age 21, he accepted a position in a cotton mill in Cohoes, NY owned by another uncle, Winslow Twichell. While there he fell in love with a cousin, Helen Twichell, and married. At age 26, they moved to Lincolnton, NC to accept the position of superintendent. He left within the year in February 1855 to move to Bivingsville (now Glendale), SC. Unfortunately, the mill was failing, but that brought an opportunity to become part owner in a bankruptcy sale. His claim to fame was his civic spirit, which made him invaluable to the Spartanburg community. During the War Between the States, many people feared the loyalty of this Yankee, so he and his brother-in-law, Albert Twichell, enlisted in the Confederate Army. However, his employees

Converse Time Capsule Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, February 14, 2011

3. Converse Time Capsule Marker

A time capsule marking the new
millennium was buried on this site
on April 11, 2000. The event was
organized by the Student Government
Association in an effort to recognize
student organizations, promote
campus involvement, and celebrate
the vision upon which Converse
College was founded.
This time capsule is to be opened
during Alumni Reunion Weekend
in 2050.

asked him to reconsider and eventually both stayed on to run the mill and produce fabric for the Confederate Army. He started D.E. Converse Co. or Glendale Mills in 1866. In 1880, Converse, with associates, formed the Clifton Manufacturing Co., which eventually grew to include three mills. He and his family remained in Glendale until 1891 when he relocated his family to Spartanburg, where had become interested in establishing a college of women that became Converse College (1889). Twichell Auditorium, named for his wife’s family, remained in constant use throughout the 20th century – hosting music concerts, recitals and meetings. He died in 1899. At his death, he was a stockholder in the Pacolet, Whitney and Spartan Mills.

— Submitted February 19, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Dexter Edgar Converse Monument - Reverse<br>Converse Entry Gate in Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, February 14, 2011

4. Dexter Edgar Converse Monument - Reverse
Converse Entry Gate in Background

Dexter Edgar Converse<br>1829-1899 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Converse College

5. Dexter Edgar Converse
1829-1899

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,458 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5. submitted on March 18, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.