Anderson Swigert

SWIGERT

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/10/2010 at 10:42:08

Long residence in Boone county makes it imperative that the life record of Anderson Swigert find a place upon the pates of the county’s history, for he as closely associated with business activity and wit the up building of this section for many years, coming here in pioneer times. He was born in Tuscarwas county, Ohio, September 22, 1823, a son of Elisha Swigert, who was cattle drover. The four sons and two daughters of the family were left orphans when Anderson Swigert was but nine years of age, and he was thus forced to start out in life on his own account. He educational privileges were indeed meager, and save for a few months spent in a private school as a child he had no educational training save the which was self acquired in the school of experience. He mastered the rudimentary branches of learning and as the years went on added to his knowledge through life’s lessons. He served seven years as an apprentice to a blacksmith and in 1848 started in business on his own account in the town of Chili, Ohio where he won a fair measure of success. He added to his blacksmithing a foundry business and also conducted a hotel until 1856.
He then brought his family to Iowa, settling at Ridgeport, Boone county, where he continued in the business of blacksmithing and hotel keeping. He likewise invested in farm property and gave personal supervision to the operation of his farm and to his stock raising and feeding interests. His time was devoted to these various lines until 1875, when he gave up other business and for a time devoted his undivided attention to his farm and live stock, continuing along that line until 1883, when he retired. A substantial measure of success has rewarded his efforts. In all of his business career he displayed unfaltering energy, industry and determination and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. In all of his dealings he was thoroughly reliable and won an unassailable reputation for his business integrity.
On November 15, 1848, Mr Swigert was united in marriage to Miss Magdaline Winklepleck, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom four are still living: Madill, a resident of Nebraska, George A who makes hi home in Kansas, Frank, and Mrs Codelia Sturtz, of Boone, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away in 1875 and on May 22, 1880, Mr Swigert was again married, his second union being with Charlotte Bibler, of Hamilton county, Iowa. Unto this marriage were born five children, of whom Blacksen died at the age of fifteen years, the others being: Mrs Effie A Davis of Kenosha, Wisconsin ,C F a resident of Boxholm, Iowa, Mrs Cassie A Davis living in Boone, and Mrs Belle L Wells, whose home is near Paton, Iowa.
IN his political vies Mr Swiget was always an earnest republican from the organization of the party but never sought nor desired office of any kind, preferring to concentrate his undivided attention and energy upon his business, which he conducted so capably that substantial success resulted. He was one of the promoters and builders of Boone county, taking an active interest in many projects for its up building and development. Throughout the pioneer days he proved himself a friend of the early settlers and was ever ready to assist the poor and needy. He was widely known not only in Boone but throughout adjoining counties and was highly respected by all. He passed away in 1896 and in his death the community lost one of its worthy and honored pioneers a man whose life was not spectacular in the slightest degree and who did not seek to figure prominently in any public connection, but who through the sterling worth of his character won and enjoyed the friendship and regard of those which whom he was brought in contact.

1914 Boone County History Book