WILLARD B SWIGART, b 22 Jun 1857

SWIGART, GAGE, BERTELSEN, ANDERSEN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 1/8/2005 at 09:28:33

Willard B. Swigart, of the firm of Swigart & Sons, editors and proprietors of the Jackson Sentinel, has been engaged in the journalistic profession almost from boyhood; has displayed a marked talent for the work, and has already won an enviable position among his editorial brethren in this county. He is a native-born citizen of Maquoketa, his birth occurring here June 22, 1857, he being the third son of William and Martha (Gage) Swigart. His father, is the Postmaster of the city and a prominent man in this county.

The subject of this notice was educated in the city schools, and as soon as large enough to be of use commenced work in his father's printing-office and editorial rooms, where he proved an apt pupil, and readily mastered all the details in the labor of conducting a first-class newspaper, and at the youthful age of twenty years was admitted into the firm by his father and brother. The editorship and management of the paper devolve on him and his brother, their father having other duties and interests to occupy his time, and under their excellent guidance it exerts a leading and wholesome influence in the city, county and State wherever it circulates. Although devoted mainly to the interests of the Democratic party it gives other parties a fair representation in its columns.

Mr. Swigart was married to Miss Mary Bertelsen Nov. 25, 1880, and in their pleasant home four children have been born to them, of whom Gerster, Carlisle and Andrew are living. Mrs. Swigart is a valued member of the Congregational Church, and her amiable disposition and other sterling qualities of heart and mind have procured her many warm friends. She is a native of this State, born in Clinton County. Her parents, Andrew G. and Christine (Andersen) Bertelsen, were born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. They came to America in 1854, when they were young, and settling in this State, in Elk River Township, the father improved a large farm there, and there he and his wife reside.

Mr. Swigart is a bright, wide-awake young man with cultivated tastes, with broad and liberal views, and he is frank and fearless in the expression of them. He is identified with the K. of P. as a charter member of Peerless Lodge No. 60.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)