SWAN, Frederick

SWAN, KESBY, BUTLER, MUHN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 14:48:29

Biography ~ Frederick Swan

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 616-17:

FREDERICK SWAN, n enterprising and public-spirited citizen of Woodland Township, residing on section 12, is a native of Easling Parish, East Kent, England, born September 27, 1809, a son of BENJAMIN and SARAH (KESBY) SWAN. His parents had a family of seven children named as follows – SEELEY, JAMES, REBECCA, MILLIE, FREDERICK, BENJAMIN and AVIS; FREDERICK being the fifth child. The father was a sailor, and followed the sea for many years. Our subject spent his youth in Newham, and at the age began working on a farm. He was married August 13, 1837, to Miss SARAH BUTLER, who was born February 14, 1816, at Horsmanden Parish, East Kent, England. She was a daughter of GEORGE and MARY (MUHN) BUTLER, who had a family of nine children – MARY, ELIZABETH, JAMES, JANE, THOMAS (deceased), GEORGE, WILLIAM, SARAH and THOMAS. Mr. SWAN came to America several years after his marriage, and located in Jennings County, Indiana, and a year later he was joined there by his wife and six children, the family residing in Jennings County till 1853. They then settled in Ripley County, Indiana, where they lived five years, and in the fall of 1858 came to Iowa, by team, locating on their present farm in Woodland Township, where Mr. SWAN entered 160 acres of Government land. He first built a log cabin, 18 x 29 feet, and commenced improving his land, to which he has added by subsequent purchases till he has 220 acres under good cultivation, with a good residence and commodious farm buildings. He has followed farming and stock-raising since coming to Iowa, in which he is meeting with success. He commenced life in America without means, but owing to his industry and good management he has been prosperous in all his undertakings, and by his own efforts has acquired a fine property, and has gained the respect of all who know him. To Mr. and Mrs. SWAN have been born nine children - SARAH ANN, FREDERICK, BENJAMIN, WILLIAM, GEORGE W., MARY JANE, THOMAS J., and two, RUTH and JAMES, deceased. JAMES enlisted as a private in Company H, Sixth Iowa Infantry, and was afterward promoted to Corporal, later to Sergeant, and finally was commissioned Captain of the battles of Shiloh and Atlanta, and never recovered his health, dying October 14, 1868. Mr. SWAN is an earnest member of the Dunkard church, Mrs. SWAN being a consistent member of the Christian Union denomination.

NOTE: Frederick Swan died on March 11, 1894, Woodland IA. Sarah (Butler) Swan died at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 9 days on September 5, 1900. Captain James Swan was interred at Shields Cemetery, Woodland IA, as were his parents, Frederick and Sarah.

Submission by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Museum, January of 2014

Note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014