Swigart, Andrew B.(1887-1905)

SWIGART

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/29/2008 at 00:14:39

Jackson Sentinel
February 23, 1905

SWIGART. – Andrew B., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Swigart, passed peacefully away at the home of his parents, North Main St., Maquoketa 7:50 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1905, aged 17 yrs, 4 mos, and 3 das.

Andrew Bertelsen Swigart, born Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1887, in the house where he died, was the third child and second son of a family of eight children, three having preceded him to the grave in infancy. He was an exceptionally bright, loveable and interesting boy from very earliest childhood. From the day he began school to the day of his last illness he was a moral force for good among his schoolmates and play mates.

Genial, witty and well read, he was sunshine in the home and a fountain of pleasure to those who came within the circle of his friendship and acquaintance. Absolutely honest in all things, it was a source of gratification to the family to hear his teacher say that Andrew was one of the most open hearted, frank and free spoken boys that he ever taught.

He had lofty aspirations and his teachers, one after another soon learned to love and admire him for it. Nothing made him proud or vain and all praise was modestly accepted. He was diligent in his school work and anxious to enter into the activity of the rushing, business world, pursued his studies, autumn field sports, and other activities with perhaps more zest than his physical powers could sustain at this vital time of his life. Friday, Feb. 3, he took to his bed complaining of a dull sick headache and some miner pains. This in a day or two developed into a feverish condition that could not be checked. Though he wanted to get well as he had a mountain trip planned for the summer, it was not to be so and he passed away Wednesday night, with Meningitis (brain fever) after having been speechless and unconscious for more than 36 hours.

He leaves parents, grand-parents, two brothers, two sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins and many friends in deep bereavement over his untimely death.

The funeral took place from the residence 2 o’clock p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18th. Seventy scholars of the high school besides teachers and superintendent attended in a body. Rev. Malcolm Dana officiated and generously banked in beautiful floral tributes, the mortal remains of deceased were laid to rest in Mt. Hope cemetery.