Portrait and Biographical Album of DeWitt and Piatt, Illinois
Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1891 Page 956
Hon. Jacob Swigart. DeWitt County has in this gentleman a fine representative of its agricultural interests, as his energy and enterprise have been leading factors in advancing its growth in this direction. He is the most extensive farmer within the limits of the county, tilling more land than any other man in this part of Illinois without exception. He is a prominent and well-known resident of Farmer City and his name is associated with many plans that have promoted its welfare.
Mr. Swigart is a native of Grand Prairie Township, Marion County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the light of the world in the humble pioneer home of his parents September 21, 1827. Daniel Swigart, his father, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and was a son of Daniel and Catherine (Nazer) Swigart, natives of Pennsylvania, who came of Dutch or German parentage. After Daniel Swigart, Sr., and wife were married they began life near Mercerville, Pa., where he carried on business as a butcher. Some years later after the birth of their only two children, John and Daniel, Jr., the Swigarts moved to Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1810, and there Mr. Swigart followed butchering till 1825. In that year he moved with his family to Marion County, and was one of the first to settle on the Sandusky Plains when that section was a wild and unbroken wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart improved a farm in Grand Prairie Township, and spent their remaining years there, the grandfather of our subject dying when seventy-eight years old and his wife a few years before that. They were representative pioneer people, and he swerved as a soldier through the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison and fought with him against Gen. Hull at Ft. Meigs, and other prominent battles of that contest.
Daniel Swigart, Jr., was the younger of the two sons born to his parents, his birth occurring in 1793 in Mercerburg, Pa. He was young when his family moved to Ohio, and he attained his majority in Pickaway County, at Circleville. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Coonrod, who was born in 1797 at a place in Greenbriar county, Va., now known as Coonrod Ferry. She was thirteen years old when her parents, Jacob and Eve (Vandevender) Coonrod, moved to Pickaway County. The father died subsequently in Greenbriar County, Va., and the widowed mother went with her children to Ross County, Ohio, and later to Marion County, that State, where she (Mrs. Eve Coonrod) died when a very old lady.
After the birth of four of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Swigart took up their abode in Marion County in 1825, and there he tilled a small farm. Our subject was the first child born in the new home and later six other children followed him. In 1849 the whole family came to DeWitt County, our subject having preceded them to this locality two years before. The parents passed their remaining days in DeWitt Township, the father dying February 14, 1869, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother March 5, 1875, at the same age. During their residence in Ohio they were for many years active members of the United Brethren Church, but after coming to Illinois they were associated with the Protestant Methodist Church. Daniel Swigart served as a soldier throughout the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, but his position in the quartermaster's department prevented him from taking an active part in any battles. While his old leader was alive Mr. Swigart was an ardent Harrison man in politics, and he only left the Whig party on its dissolution to join the Republicans.
Jacob Swigart was twenty years old when he came to Illinois and he soon became associated with the interests of DeWitt County, and from that time to the present has been one of the principal factors in advancing its growth and prosperity as a great agricultural center. He has also been prominent in its public life and has been one of its most valued civic officials. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has ever been progressive and enterprising and has met with extraordinary success. It is said that his farm of seventeen hundred acres in DeWitt Township represents the largest body of land that is operated by its owner. A few winters after he came here Mr. Swigart was engaged in teaching school as well as in farming. He purchased his first land in DeWitt Township in 1849, and has since added to it, until at one time he possessed twenty-five hundred acres of choice land, but he has since disposed of a good share of it, giving to each of his sons a portion to start them out in life.
By his marriage in Farmer City to Miss Rebecca Davis, Mr. Swigart secured a wife who has been to him everything that word implies, and their domestic life has been one of true happiness. Mrs. Swigart is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was there born February 14, 1833, the date on which occurred the wonderful shower of falling stars or meteors. Her parents, James and Elizabeth Davis, also natives of Ohio, came to DeWitt County in 1837 and located near Farmer City on land which is now within its corporate limits. They thus became pioneers of this region and secured by purchase three hundred acres of wild prairie, nearly half of which is now covered by the city. One year after the family came here the father died while yet in life's prime, his fellow pioneers thus losing the aid of a practical farmer and his community was deprived of a valued citizen. His widow died in 1854 at the age of fifty-seven years. Both were Methodists in religion and were upright Christians. Mrs. Swigart is the youngest of her parents' children living. She was a small child when she accompanied them to her pioneer home in this county and here she was reared and educated. She is a woman of a kindly and charitable disposition and her motherly heart and sympathizing manners have brought to her many friends.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swigart, two are deceased-Dwight and Bruce-both of whom died young. Those living are Carl, O. H., E. C., Edwin S., Harry, Lora B., and Hattie. Carl is a resident of Weldon and is connected with his father's bank which was organized in 1888 under the firm name of Swigart & Sons. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. McConkey, and the maiden name of his second wife, who was a cousin to his first wife, was Kate Mc Conkey. O. H., who is connected with the Bank of Deland, Piatt County, of Jacob Swigart & Sons, is a farmer near Champaign. He married Sarah Heaton. E. C., who is engaged in farming in Blue Ridge Township, married C. Arbogast. Edwin S., who is a cashier in the Deland Bank, married Nellie Lapham, of Whiteside County. Harry, a resident of Weldon and cashier of the bank of Jacob Swigart & Sons, married P. Hattie Johnson. Lora B., who is at present at the home of her parents, is a graduate of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Musical College and is an accomplished pianist. Hattie N., who lives at home with her parents, is a bright young miss. The [word unreadable] have been given every advantage to secure a good education, and three of the sons attended Lombard College in Knox County, from which institution one of them was graduated.
Mr. Swigart's life career has been distinguished by rare energy and stability of character and prompt and systematic business habits, combined with honorable conscientious dealing, and his course furnishes an illustrious example to the young who are just starting out in the world to seek fortune's favors. He enjoys a high personal standing throughout the county and has many true friends among his fellow-citizens with whose interests his own have been identified for so long a period. We have seen that as an agriculturalist he has done much to develop the county, and in the establishment of the banks mentioned he is doing a great deal to strengthen the financial condition of Central Illinois. He has been a conspicuous figure in politics and in public life, being one of the leading Republicans of this section. He was Supervisor of DeWitt Township for more than twelve years, being first elected to that important office in 1863, and he has held other local offices though he has never sought the suffrages of his fellow citizens. In 1868 he was nominated on the Republican ticket to represent his county in the State Legislature and was elected to that position by a good majority. His legislative career was honorable to himself and his constituents, and he did good service as a member of the Committee of Roads, Bridges, Canals and Navigation.
Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1891 Page 956
Hon. Jacob Swigart. DeWitt County has in this gentleman a fine representative of its agricultural interests, as his energy and enterprise have been leading factors in advancing its growth in this direction. He is the most extensive farmer within the limits of the county, tilling more land than any other man in this part of Illinois without exception. He is a prominent and well-known resident of Farmer City and his name is associated with many plans that have promoted its welfare.
Mr. Swigart is a native of Grand Prairie Township, Marion County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the light of the world in the humble pioneer home of his parents September 21, 1827. Daniel Swigart, his father, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and was a son of Daniel and Catherine (Nazer) Swigart, natives of Pennsylvania, who came of Dutch or German parentage. After Daniel Swigart, Sr., and wife were married they began life near Mercerville, Pa., where he carried on business as a butcher. Some years later after the birth of their only two children, John and Daniel, Jr., the Swigarts moved to Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1810, and there Mr. Swigart followed butchering till 1825. In that year he moved with his family to Marion County, and was one of the first to settle on the Sandusky Plains when that section was a wild and unbroken wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart improved a farm in Grand Prairie Township, and spent their remaining years there, the grandfather of our subject dying when seventy-eight years old and his wife a few years before that. They were representative pioneer people, and he swerved as a soldier through the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison and fought with him against Gen. Hull at Ft. Meigs, and other prominent battles of that contest.
Daniel Swigart, Jr., was the younger of the two sons born to his parents, his birth occurring in 1793 in Mercerburg, Pa. He was young when his family moved to Ohio, and he attained his majority in Pickaway County, at Circleville. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Coonrod, who was born in 1797 at a place in Greenbriar county, Va., now known as Coonrod Ferry. She was thirteen years old when her parents, Jacob and Eve (Vandevender) Coonrod, moved to Pickaway County. The father died subsequently in Greenbriar County, Va., and the widowed mother went with her children to Ross County, Ohio, and later to Marion County, that State, where she (Mrs. Eve Coonrod) died when a very old lady.
After the birth of four of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Swigart took up their abode in Marion County in 1825, and there he tilled a small farm. Our subject was the first child born in the new home and later six other children followed him. In 1849 the whole family came to DeWitt County, our subject having preceded them to this locality two years before. The parents passed their remaining days in DeWitt Township, the father dying February 14, 1869, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother March 5, 1875, at the same age. During their residence in Ohio they were for many years active members of the United Brethren Church, but after coming to Illinois they were associated with the Protestant Methodist Church. Daniel Swigart served as a soldier throughout the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, but his position in the quartermaster's department prevented him from taking an active part in any battles. While his old leader was alive Mr. Swigart was an ardent Harrison man in politics, and he only left the Whig party on its dissolution to join the Republicans.
Jacob Swigart was twenty years old when he came to Illinois and he soon became associated with the interests of DeWitt County, and from that time to the present has been one of the principal factors in advancing its growth and prosperity as a great agricultural center. He has also been prominent in its public life and has been one of its most valued civic officials. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has ever been progressive and enterprising and has met with extraordinary success. It is said that his farm of seventeen hundred acres in DeWitt Township represents the largest body of land that is operated by its owner. A few winters after he came here Mr. Swigart was engaged in teaching school as well as in farming. He purchased his first land in DeWitt Township in 1849, and has since added to it, until at one time he possessed twenty-five hundred acres of choice land, but he has since disposed of a good share of it, giving to each of his sons a portion to start them out in life.
By his marriage in Farmer City to Miss Rebecca Davis, Mr. Swigart secured a wife who has been to him everything that word implies, and their domestic life has been one of true happiness. Mrs. Swigart is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was there born February 14, 1833, the date on which occurred the wonderful shower of falling stars or meteors. Her parents, James and Elizabeth Davis, also natives of Ohio, came to DeWitt County in 1837 and located near Farmer City on land which is now within its corporate limits. They thus became pioneers of this region and secured by purchase three hundred acres of wild prairie, nearly half of which is now covered by the city. One year after the family came here the father died while yet in life's prime, his fellow pioneers thus losing the aid of a practical farmer and his community was deprived of a valued citizen. His widow died in 1854 at the age of fifty-seven years. Both were Methodists in religion and were upright Christians. Mrs. Swigart is the youngest of her parents' children living. She was a small child when she accompanied them to her pioneer home in this county and here she was reared and educated. She is a woman of a kindly and charitable disposition and her motherly heart and sympathizing manners have brought to her many friends.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swigart, two are deceased-Dwight and Bruce-both of whom died young. Those living are Carl, O. H., E. C., Edwin S., Harry, Lora B., and Hattie. Carl is a resident of Weldon and is connected with his father's bank which was organized in 1888 under the firm name of Swigart & Sons. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. McConkey, and the maiden name of his second wife, who was a cousin to his first wife, was Kate Mc Conkey. O. H., who is connected with the Bank of Deland, Piatt County, of Jacob Swigart & Sons, is a farmer near Champaign. He married Sarah Heaton. E. C., who is engaged in farming in Blue Ridge Township, married C. Arbogast. Edwin S., who is a cashier in the Deland Bank, married Nellie Lapham, of Whiteside County. Harry, a resident of Weldon and cashier of the bank of Jacob Swigart & Sons, married P. Hattie Johnson. Lora B., who is at present at the home of her parents, is a graduate of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Musical College and is an accomplished pianist. Hattie N., who lives at home with her parents, is a bright young miss. The [word unreadable] have been given every advantage to secure a good education, and three of the sons attended Lombard College in Knox County, from which institution one of them was graduated.
Mr. Swigart's life career has been distinguished by rare energy and stability of character and prompt and systematic business habits, combined with honorable conscientious dealing, and his course furnishes an illustrious example to the young who are just starting out in the world to seek fortune's favors. He enjoys a high personal standing throughout the county and has many true friends among his fellow-citizens with whose interests his own have been identified for so long a period. We have seen that as an agriculturalist he has done much to develop the county, and in the establishment of the banks mentioned he is doing a great deal to strengthen the financial condition of Central Illinois. He has been a conspicuous figure in politics and in public life, being one of the leading Republicans of this section. He was Supervisor of DeWitt Township for more than twelve years, being first elected to that important office in 1863, and he has held other local offices though he has never sought the suffrages of his fellow citizens. In 1868 he was nominated on the Republican ticket to represent his county in the State Legislature and was elected to that position by a good majority. His legislative career was honorable to himself and his constituents, and he did good service as a member of the Committee of Roads, Bridges, Canals and Navigation.
Portrait and Biographical Album of DeWitt and Piatt, Illinois
Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1891 Page 956
Hon. Jacob Swigart. DeWitt County has in this gentleman a fine representative of its agricultural interests, as his energy and enterprise have been leading factors in advancing its growth in this direction. He is the most extensive farmer within the limits of the county, tilling more land than any other man in this part of Illinois without exception. He is a prominent and well-known resident of Farmer City and his name is associated with many plans that have promoted its welfare.
Mr. Swigart is a native of Grand Prairie Township, Marion County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the light of the world in the humble pioneer home of his parents September 21, 1827. Daniel Swigart, his father, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and was a son of Daniel and Catherine (Nazer) Swigart, natives of Pennsylvania, who came of Dutch or German parentage. After Daniel Swigart, Sr., and wife were married they began life near Mercerville, Pa., where he carried on business as a butcher. Some years later after the birth of their only two children, John and Daniel, Jr., the Swigarts moved to Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1810, and there Mr. Swigart followed butchering till 1825. In that year he moved with his family to Marion County, and was one of the first to settle on the Sandusky Plains when that section was a wild and unbroken wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart improved a farm in Grand Prairie Township, and spent their remaining years there, the grandfather of our subject dying when seventy-eight years old and his wife a few years before that. They were representative pioneer people, and he swerved as a soldier through the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison and fought with him against Gen. Hull at Ft. Meigs, and other prominent battles of that contest.
Daniel Swigart, Jr., was the younger of the two sons born to his parents, his birth occurring in 1793 in Mercerburg, Pa. He was young when his family moved to Ohio, and he attained his majority in Pickaway County, at Circleville. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Coonrod, who was born in 1797 at a place in Greenbriar county, Va., now known as Coonrod Ferry. She was thirteen years old when her parents, Jacob and Eve (Vandevender) Coonrod, moved to Pickaway County. The father died subsequently in Greenbriar County, Va., and the widowed mother went with her children to Ross County, Ohio, and later to Marion County, that State, where she (Mrs. Eve Coonrod) died when a very old lady.
After the birth of four of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Swigart took up their abode in Marion County in 1825, and there he tilled a small farm. Our subject was the first child born in the new home and later six other children followed him. In 1849 the whole family came to DeWitt County, our subject having preceded them to this locality two years before. The parents passed their remaining days in DeWitt Township, the father dying February 14, 1869, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother March 5, 1875, at the same age. During their residence in Ohio they were for many years active members of the United Brethren Church, but after coming to Illinois they were associated with the Protestant Methodist Church. Daniel Swigart served as a soldier throughout the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, but his position in the quartermaster's department prevented him from taking an active part in any battles. While his old leader was alive Mr. Swigart was an ardent Harrison man in politics, and he only left the Whig party on its dissolution to join the Republicans.
Jacob Swigart was twenty years old when he came to Illinois and he soon became associated with the interests of DeWitt County, and from that time to the present has been one of the principal factors in advancing its growth and prosperity as a great agricultural center. He has also been prominent in its public life and has been one of its most valued civic officials. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has ever been progressive and enterprising and has met with extraordinary success. It is said that his farm of seventeen hundred acres in DeWitt Township represents the largest body of land that is operated by its owner. A few winters after he came here Mr. Swigart was engaged in teaching school as well as in farming. He purchased his first land in DeWitt Township in 1849, and has since added to it, until at one time he possessed twenty-five hundred acres of choice land, but he has since disposed of a good share of it, giving to each of his sons a portion to start them out in life.
By his marriage in Farmer City to Miss Rebecca Davis, Mr. Swigart secured a wife who has been to him everything that word implies, and their domestic life has been one of true happiness. Mrs. Swigart is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was there born February 14, 1833, the date on which occurred the wonderful shower of falling stars or meteors. Her parents, James and Elizabeth Davis, also natives of Ohio, came to DeWitt County in 1837 and located near Farmer City on land which is now within its corporate limits. They thus became pioneers of this region and secured by purchase three hundred acres of wild prairie, nearly half of which is now covered by the city. One year after the family came here the father died while yet in life's prime, his fellow pioneers thus losing the aid of a practical farmer and his community was deprived of a valued citizen. His widow died in 1854 at the age of fifty-seven years. Both were Methodists in religion and were upright Christians. Mrs. Swigart is the youngest of her parents' children living. She was a small child when she accompanied them to her pioneer home in this county and here she was reared and educated. She is a woman of a kindly and charitable disposition and her motherly heart and sympathizing manners have brought to her many friends.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swigart, two are deceased-Dwight and Bruce-both of whom died young. Those living are Carl, O. H., E. C., Edwin S., Harry, Lora B., and Hattie. Carl is a resident of Weldon and is connected with his father's bank which was organized in 1888 under the firm name of Swigart & Sons. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. McConkey, and the maiden name of his second wife, who was a cousin to his first wife, was Kate Mc Conkey. O. H., who is connected with the Bank of Deland, Piatt County, of Jacob Swigart & Sons, is a farmer near Champaign. He married Sarah Heaton. E. C., who is engaged in farming in Blue Ridge Township, married C. Arbogast. Edwin S., who is a cashier in the Deland Bank, married Nellie Lapham, of Whiteside County. Harry, a resident of Weldon and cashier of the bank of Jacob Swigart & Sons, married P. Hattie Johnson. Lora B., who is at present at the home of her parents, is a graduate of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Musical College and is an accomplished pianist. Hattie N., who lives at home with her parents, is a bright young miss. The [word unreadable] have been given every advantage to secure a good education, and three of the sons attended Lombard College in Knox County, from which institution one of them was graduated.
Mr. Swigart's life career has been distinguished by rare energy and stability of character and prompt and systematic business habits, combined with honorable conscientious dealing, and his course furnishes an illustrious example to the young who are just starting out in the world to seek fortune's favors. He enjoys a high personal standing throughout the county and has many true friends among his fellow-citizens with whose interests his own have been identified for so long a period. We have seen that as an agriculturalist he has done much to develop the county, and in the establishment of the banks mentioned he is doing a great deal to strengthen the financial condition of Central Illinois. He has been a conspicuous figure in politics and in public life, being one of the leading Republicans of this section. He was Supervisor of DeWitt Township for more than twelve years, being first elected to that important office in 1863, and he has held other local offices though he has never sought the suffrages of his fellow citizens. In 1868 he was nominated on the Republican ticket to represent his county in the State Legislature and was elected to that position by a good majority. His legislative career was honorable to himself and his constituents, and he did good service as a member of the Committee of Roads, Bridges, Canals and Navigation.
Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1891 Page 956
Hon. Jacob Swigart. DeWitt County has in this gentleman a fine representative of its agricultural interests, as his energy and enterprise have been leading factors in advancing its growth in this direction. He is the most extensive farmer within the limits of the county, tilling more land than any other man in this part of Illinois without exception. He is a prominent and well-known resident of Farmer City and his name is associated with many plans that have promoted its welfare.
Mr. Swigart is a native of Grand Prairie Township, Marion County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the light of the world in the humble pioneer home of his parents September 21, 1827. Daniel Swigart, his father, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and was a son of Daniel and Catherine (Nazer) Swigart, natives of Pennsylvania, who came of Dutch or German parentage. After Daniel Swigart, Sr., and wife were married they began life near Mercerville, Pa., where he carried on business as a butcher. Some years later after the birth of their only two children, John and Daniel, Jr., the Swigarts moved to Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1810, and there Mr. Swigart followed butchering till 1825. In that year he moved with his family to Marion County, and was one of the first to settle on the Sandusky Plains when that section was a wild and unbroken wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Swigart improved a farm in Grand Prairie Township, and spent their remaining years there, the grandfather of our subject dying when seventy-eight years old and his wife a few years before that. They were representative pioneer people, and he swerved as a soldier through the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison and fought with him against Gen. Hull at Ft. Meigs, and other prominent battles of that contest.
Daniel Swigart, Jr., was the younger of the two sons born to his parents, his birth occurring in 1793 in Mercerburg, Pa. He was young when his family moved to Ohio, and he attained his majority in Pickaway County, at Circleville. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Coonrod, who was born in 1797 at a place in Greenbriar county, Va., now known as Coonrod Ferry. She was thirteen years old when her parents, Jacob and Eve (Vandevender) Coonrod, moved to Pickaway County. The father died subsequently in Greenbriar County, Va., and the widowed mother went with her children to Ross County, Ohio, and later to Marion County, that State, where she (Mrs. Eve Coonrod) died when a very old lady.
After the birth of four of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Swigart took up their abode in Marion County in 1825, and there he tilled a small farm. Our subject was the first child born in the new home and later six other children followed him. In 1849 the whole family came to DeWitt County, our subject having preceded them to this locality two years before. The parents passed their remaining days in DeWitt Township, the father dying February 14, 1869, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother March 5, 1875, at the same age. During their residence in Ohio they were for many years active members of the United Brethren Church, but after coming to Illinois they were associated with the Protestant Methodist Church. Daniel Swigart served as a soldier throughout the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, but his position in the quartermaster's department prevented him from taking an active part in any battles. While his old leader was alive Mr. Swigart was an ardent Harrison man in politics, and he only left the Whig party on its dissolution to join the Republicans.
Jacob Swigart was twenty years old when he came to Illinois and he soon became associated with the interests of DeWitt County, and from that time to the present has been one of the principal factors in advancing its growth and prosperity as a great agricultural center. He has also been prominent in its public life and has been one of its most valued civic officials. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has ever been progressive and enterprising and has met with extraordinary success. It is said that his farm of seventeen hundred acres in DeWitt Township represents the largest body of land that is operated by its owner. A few winters after he came here Mr. Swigart was engaged in teaching school as well as in farming. He purchased his first land in DeWitt Township in 1849, and has since added to it, until at one time he possessed twenty-five hundred acres of choice land, but he has since disposed of a good share of it, giving to each of his sons a portion to start them out in life.
By his marriage in Farmer City to Miss Rebecca Davis, Mr. Swigart secured a wife who has been to him everything that word implies, and their domestic life has been one of true happiness. Mrs. Swigart is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was there born February 14, 1833, the date on which occurred the wonderful shower of falling stars or meteors. Her parents, James and Elizabeth Davis, also natives of Ohio, came to DeWitt County in 1837 and located near Farmer City on land which is now within its corporate limits. They thus became pioneers of this region and secured by purchase three hundred acres of wild prairie, nearly half of which is now covered by the city. One year after the family came here the father died while yet in life's prime, his fellow pioneers thus losing the aid of a practical farmer and his community was deprived of a valued citizen. His widow died in 1854 at the age of fifty-seven years. Both were Methodists in religion and were upright Christians. Mrs. Swigart is the youngest of her parents' children living. She was a small child when she accompanied them to her pioneer home in this county and here she was reared and educated. She is a woman of a kindly and charitable disposition and her motherly heart and sympathizing manners have brought to her many friends.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swigart, two are deceased-Dwight and Bruce-both of whom died young. Those living are Carl, O. H., E. C., Edwin S., Harry, Lora B., and Hattie. Carl is a resident of Weldon and is connected with his father's bank which was organized in 1888 under the firm name of Swigart & Sons. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. McConkey, and the maiden name of his second wife, who was a cousin to his first wife, was Kate Mc Conkey. O. H., who is connected with the Bank of Deland, Piatt County, of Jacob Swigart & Sons, is a farmer near Champaign. He married Sarah Heaton. E. C., who is engaged in farming in Blue Ridge Township, married C. Arbogast. Edwin S., who is a cashier in the Deland Bank, married Nellie Lapham, of Whiteside County. Harry, a resident of Weldon and cashier of the bank of Jacob Swigart & Sons, married P. Hattie Johnson. Lora B., who is at present at the home of her parents, is a graduate of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Musical College and is an accomplished pianist. Hattie N., who lives at home with her parents, is a bright young miss. The [word unreadable] have been given every advantage to secure a good education, and three of the sons attended Lombard College in Knox County, from which institution one of them was graduated.
Mr. Swigart's life career has been distinguished by rare energy and stability of character and prompt and systematic business habits, combined with honorable conscientious dealing, and his course furnishes an illustrious example to the young who are just starting out in the world to seek fortune's favors. He enjoys a high personal standing throughout the county and has many true friends among his fellow-citizens with whose interests his own have been identified for so long a period. We have seen that as an agriculturalist he has done much to develop the county, and in the establishment of the banks mentioned he is doing a great deal to strengthen the financial condition of Central Illinois. He has been a conspicuous figure in politics and in public life, being one of the leading Republicans of this section. He was Supervisor of DeWitt Township for more than twelve years, being first elected to that important office in 1863, and he has held other local offices though he has never sought the suffrages of his fellow citizens. In 1868 he was nominated on the Republican ticket to represent his county in the State Legislature and was elected to that position by a good majority. His legislative career was honorable to himself and his constituents, and he did good service as a member of the Committee of Roads, Bridges, Canals and Navigation.
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