Swenson, Jacob 1891-1941

SWENSON, ERICKSON, JONES, BOWERS, BURROWS, HARNACK, MELAND, NELSON, DRESSER

Posted By: Cindy Bray Lovell (email)
Date: 2/18/2009 at 15:18:28

HOLD RITES OF
MISHAP VICTIM

Postville Man Dies
When Struck by Train
at City Limits

POSTVILLE—Funeral services were held here Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock in the Schutte funeral home for Jacob Swenson, 50, who was killed early Friday morning when struck by a Rock Island freight train, on the outskirts of Postville.
The Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church, officiated and burial was in the Elon cemetery near Waterville. Pallbearers were Lee Bowers, Paul Burrows, Joe Harnack, Pete Meland, Edward Nelson and Lawrence Dresser.
He is survived by his widow and his father, Have Swenson, and a brother, Arthur, both of Minneapolis, a brother, Kenneth of Albert Lea, Minn., a son, Arlen, two daughters, Clarice May and Mrs. Reuben Erickson all of Waterville.

~The Mason City Globe-Gazette (Mason City, Iowa)
December 20, 1941
~Contributor has no other information.
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Added by S. Ferrall 12/15/09:

Postville, Ia. - Jacob Swenson, about 52, of Postville, was instantly killed at 7:55 a.m. Friday when he was struck by a Rock Island freight train on the Cedar Rapids-Decorah branch, near the edge of town. Employed for the last year and a half at the Lawrence Dresser farm, just outside Postville, as a laborer, Swenson met death as he was walking along the tracks to work, as was his daily custom.

George McClees, 59, of Cedar Rapids, veteran of more than 30 years as locomotive engineer, told officers that when the whistle was sounded Swenson jumped in front of the engine. The victim's body was badly mutilated.

Born at Waterville, Ia., in Allamakee county, Swenson had been a resident of Postville the last two years. He leaves his widow and three children.

~Waterloo Daily Courier, December 19, 1941

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Added by S. Ferrall 2/10/2017:

Jacob Swenson Killed by Train Last Week

Postville: Jacob Swenson, 50 year old farm laborer of Postville was instantly killed Friday morning at 7:55 when he was struck by a Rock Island freight train while walking along the tracks about a quarter mile west of the Rock Island depot.

Swenson, who lived in Postville, had been employed the past year and a half on the Laurence Dresser farm west of here and he was walking to the farm when it was believed he became confused and stepped directly into the path of the approaching train.

Engineer George McCleef of Cedar Rapids told county officials who investigated that he sounded the whistle three times and the last time Swenson jumped directly into the path of the train. McCleef said the train was traveling about 20 miles per hour when Swenson was struck. The body was carried 35 feet and badly mutiliated. Sheriff L. Bulman and Coroner Charles Boyden said no inquest would be held.

Swenson was married less than two years ago. A son, Vernon, by an earlier marriage was among the victims of this vicinity who lost their lived earlier this year when their car plunged through the ice in the Mississippi river at Prairie du Chien, Wis.

Funeral services were held here Saturday afternoon at the Schutte funeral home. The Reverend Frederick R. Ludwig, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church officiated and burial was in the Elon cemetery near Waterville. Pallbearers were Lee Bowers, Pete Meland, Paul Burrows, Joe Harnack, Edward Nelson and Laurence Dresser.

Mr. Swenson was born February 20, 1891 near Waterville where he spent most of his life. He came to Postville two years ago when he married Mrs. Eliza Jones, his second wife on October 22, 1940.

Survivors include his widow, his father, Hav Swenson of Minneapolis, two brothers Arthur of Minneapolis and Kenneth of Albert Lea, Minn., three children by his first wife, Arlen, Alice May and Mrs. Reuben Erickson, all of Waterville.

~The Clayton County Register
Elkader, Clayton co. Iowa
Wednesday, December 24 1941