...Served with 6th North Carolina Company B. C.S.A. as a private

---(From "Twentieth Century Sketches," A Methodist History Book)---

Joseph Benjamin Traywick was born October 15, 1844, in Anson County, NC. His parents were Asa Traywick and Delilah Helms Traywick. His great grandfather Traywick came from England and was a Quaker preacher. Berryman Traywick, his grandfather, was one of the first Methodists in Anson Co., NC. Asa Traywick was a leading Methodist of his country for fifty years: gifted in prayer and exhortation, his knowledge of the Scripture was phenomenal, he was known by the preachers as the "walking concordance."

The subject of this sketch was his seventh and youngest son. His moral and religious training, both by precept and example was of the highest order. He was converted at sixteen, under the ministry of Simpson Jones. His school opportunities were rather poor, but being fond of books, and a good, small library in the home, he had made good progress. When the Civil War opened, he was then sixteen years old, and would soon have gone to college, but the war broke up all his plans. He was one whole year in camp, on the march and in prison, was in thirteen battles, captured at Fisher's Hill, was kept in prison at Point Lookout until February 18, 1864.

Having no college opportunity during the war, he secured the help of a fine teacher, Prof. J.B. Ashcraft, and studying under him, and teaching with him, some compensation was made for the loss in education sustained on account of the war. After Lee had surrendered, in 1865, Mr. Traywick went forward and was licensed to preach by Dr. Charles Taylor. He joined the conference at Charlotte, in 1865.

Mr. Traywick's first appointment was Newberry Circuit, as junior.

He makes friends easily and holds them strongly. He is devoted to his work - is a "workman." In the ministry, as in his years of preparation, he believes that he is called to work, and he does it with might and main. As a pastor, he is faithful, sympathetic. He is a preacher of power. His sermons evidence careful thought and preparation, and are couched in strong, vigorous language. His delivery is very impressive, and the Holy Spirit accompanies the word he speaks. It is not enough to say that he promises to be a successful preacher - he is already one. And the writer is confident that that success will be more and more marked as the year go by.

On December 20, 1900, he married Miss Bessie Ariael, daughter of Reverend W.H. Ariael of our Conference. An old friend may be permitted to say that he has chosen wisely in winning the sweet, gentle Christian, who is his helper and inspiration.