Swanson, Russell Laurence (1892-1924)

SWANSON, POULSON, HITE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Stratford Courier
February 14, 1924

RUSSELL SWANSON IS CALLED BY DEATH AT HOSPITAL YESTERDAY

After making a valiant fight for life, Russell Swanson died in the hospital in Webster City about 7 o'clock yesterday morning. His condition was known to be serious from the first but his many friends were encouraged here Tuesday when they learned that he had been able to partake of some nourishment and his sudden passing came to all here as a crushing blow.

Until his present illness which started some months ago, he had been a strong and robust young man full of life and health. He was yet a young man and he enjoyed the confidence and friendship of everyone in this community. He was about 33 years old and leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.F. [Oscar & Emma Poulson] Swanson, three brothers, a sister, and other relatives to mourn his untimely death.

Stratford Courier
February 21, 1924

One of the largest funerals held in Stratford in recent years attests to the popularity and the community respect for the late Russell L. Swanson. The services were held in the M.E. Church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 and long before the announced time the church was packed to the doors with the friends who came to pay their last respects to a departed friend. Revs. Carl Hammer and Franklin conducted the service which were very impressive. A male quartet furnished the vocal music.

Deceased was given a real military burial with the local post of the American Legion in charge of the service following the one at the church. After the church service, a line of march was formed headed by the East Marion Band, who played a funeral march, followed by the Legion boys on foot and the hearse beside of which walked the pallbearers which were also American Legion members. The line then moved through main street to the end of the paving in south Stratford, followed by relatives and friends in cars, and from there they entered cars and drove to the South Marion Cemetery where the remains were interred with full military honors, honors due a good and valiant soldier.

Just a few days before the close of last year he was compelled to quit work in his last position in the A.T. Johnson store due to failing health and it is known now that he had been feeling badly for many months. All that loving care could do and the best of medical attention was of no avail and after his removal to the hospital an operation was performed, but even this did not help and he gradually grew weaker until the end came.

Russell L. Swanson was born in Stratford, August 16, 1892, and died at the hospital in Webster City, Feb. 13, 1924, at the age of 31 years, 5 months, 27 days. Practically all of his life had been spent in this, his birthplace, with the exception of about a year in the U.S. Army. At an early age he began working in one of the general stores here as clerk and had become so proficient in his chosen work that he was counted as a leading salesman. In this work he was at home and far advanced over the ordinary clerk for he was an unusual worker and at the same time was courteous and honest. He will be missed in business circles here as well as by large numbers of friends.

During the World War deceased enlisted in the service and a short time afterwards was promoted to Sergeant of the Medical Department of the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah. He served a little more than ten months when he was honorably discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on July 16, 1919.

He leaves to mourn his early passing, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. O.F. Swanson; two sisters, Mrs. Will Hite of Pond Creek, Oklahoma, and Miss Helen Swanson of Stratford; four brothers, Garrett, Furman, and Clifford, all of Valentine, Nebraska, and Herschel Swanson of Webster City, besides many other relatives and a large host of close friends.