SWARTWOOD, Betsey 1840-1930

SWARTWOOD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/3/2011 at 20:47:23

FLOYD PIONEER
WOMAN BURIED

Mrs. Betsy Swartwood, 89,
Among Last of County's
First Settlers

NORA SPRINGS - April 21 - Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Christian Church in Nora Springs for Mrs. Betsy Swartwood, the Reverend George Hess of Charles City, assisted by the Reverend H. A. Crumb of Nora Springs, conducting the services.

She was born in Chemung County, New York, October 5, 1840, lacking less than six months of reaching the age of 90 years she had often said she hoped to reach.

At the age of six years she came with her parents to Sycamore, Illinois and when she was 15 they came to Floyd County, locating at the Rock Township which has been her home for 75 years. She was one of the pioneers, coming from Illinois to Iowa in a prairie schooner drawn by oxen. Only two of the early pioneers now living came to Rock Grove before she did. They are John Whitesell, who came in 1852 and Mrs. Vina Hardman Rader in 1853, both living here all these years.

Her father, Loren Phelps, taught the first school in district No. 1 in his own home. Mrs. Swartwood taught school also in different schools in those early days.

Mrs. Swartwood was married in March 1863 to George Swartwood. To this union three children were born, Daniel, the eldest, was the only one to grow up. Loren and Clara, dying at the ages of 12 and 10. Since the death of Daniel six years ago she has made her home with her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Nette Swartwood.

She became a member of the only two living charter members of the Christian church here now living. Mrs. Electa Sullivan Ladwig of Nora Springs and Mrs. Lois Mead of Fontana, California.

Mrs. Swartwood was ill only three days and was present and took part in the church services on the Sunday before her illness. She was well known in the who community and in spite of her 89 years was active.

She was the oldest member of the W.C.T. U. at this place and was active in the work of this organization. She leaves her daughter-in-law, two grandsons, Zaner and Gale, and one granddaughter, Miss Ethelda Swartwood. There are eight great-grandchildren.

She was buried in the Rudd Cemetery beside her husband and three children. The pallbearers were Wallace Gaylord, George Turner, Theron Reed, Fred Buckman, Ira Roberts and James Quimby.

Those who attended the funeral from out of town were: A. A. Adams and son, Mrs. Buena Burr and Mrs. John Quimby, Mrs. Allie Reynolds of Mason City; Mr. and Mrs. David Carter and Mrs. Ella Noah of Charles City; Mr. and Mrs. Alice Erwin and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Byron Brown all of Nashua.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, Monday, April 21, 1930]
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Note: Burial was Evergreen Cemetery, Rudd.