Swanson, Nils Magnus (1828-1921)

SWANSON, SHERMAN, ANTONSDOTTER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:51:58

Stratford Courier
April 28, 1921

N.M. SWANSON, FORMER STRATFORD RESIDENT, CALLED HOME

Nels M. Swanson, an old and respected citizen of Stratford for many years, died at the home of his son-in-law, W.B. Sherman, 604 Marion street, Boone, Thursday, April 21, 1921. He had arrived at the ripe old age of more than 92 years. Up until this last illness he had been in the best of health and death was caused at this time by the infirmities of advanced old age.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at Boone and the remains laid to rest beside those of his wife [Anna Sophia Antonsdotter] in the South Marion cemetery.

Deceased was born in Sweden October 1, 1828, making him 92 years, 6 months and 20 days old on the day of his death. He is survived by one daughter, Miss Augusta Swanson of Boone, and one son, N.A. Swanson of Denver, Colo., besides several grandchildren and other relatives and many hosts of friends.

After disposing of his farm south of Stratford he retired from farming and built a substantial home in Stratford. His wife preceded him in death several years ago and about six years ago he moved to Boone to make his home among his beloved children.

Nels Swanson was one of the finest characters the writer has ever known. He was first and foremost a true Christian, not only in name but in his every day life and for every day in the year. No matter what sorrow came to him, no matter how many of his loved ones were called Home, he always saw the hand of the Divine in it, and never bemoaned the loss of a beloved daughter or granddaughter. To be near him was to learn to love him and to know him was indeed a privilege. No man followed closer in the footsteps of his Master and no man ever will. His Christianity was of the kind that makes itself felt in its fellowship toward mankind. It is such men as he who mold character, who have instilled in other men a desire to live better lives, who have scattered the seeds of kindness broadcast and whose memory will never, never die. The stern reaper found him "as a shock of corn, fully ripe for the harvest."