Louis S. Swafford (1818 - 1899)

SWAFFORD, FAGG, MORRIS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/28/2023 at 19:01:23

Death of a Pioneer

Louis S. Swafford died this morning at nine o’clock at his home on South Johnson Street, after an illness of several weeks, largely due to the infirmities of old age.

Mr. Swafford was born in Indiana, October 31, 1818. He came to Iowa City in 1840, attracted by the opportunities the new metropolis of the west afforded for the exercise of his trade – that of carpenter – an avocation he followed throughout his life, and at which he was an excellent workman. Upon arriving here, he was at once employed on the capitol building, and much of his handywork yet remains. He was one of the workmen on the old “Mechanics’ Academy” that occupied the site of the present University hospital, and when it was torn down the excellence of the constructive work, he had done was plainly apparent.

Mr. Swafford was one of the leading builders of early times. For a while he was workman with a firm whose “factory” was on the bank of Ralston creek, west of where the oil mill now stands. A dam was constructed across the creek and Mr. Swafford was one of the operators of the first “power” machines set up in the city, in this case a turning lathe.

During his long and active life of nearly sixty years in this city he was generally employed at his trade, and the evidence of his workmanship will long remain. When old age prevented his doing steady work, he was pleased to undertake small household “jobs” at which he was an expert. His unfailing cheerfulness and a turn for good humor made him one of the most popular and best liked of citizens; a familiar figure on the streets, everyone knew him, and while he had long passed the three-score-and-ten years of life his death will bring general regret.

Mr. Swafford was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity. He was initiated into Iowa City Lodge No. 4 April 1st, 1843, and had constantly retained his membership to the day of death. He had successively filled every office in the lodge, some of them many times over, and was constant in attendance upon the meetings. He was many years the oldest member of the lodge. He was a charter member of Iowa City Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, and of Palestine commandry, and as in the lodge had filled every office in those bodies. He was also a member of the Eastern Star. For many years he was the “tyler” of all these societies.No man has been more faithful to the tenets of the Masonic institution than Mr. Swafford. It was his ruling principle in life to live up to the teachings of that great brotherhood and honor its membership in his fidelity.

He was a life-long member of the Baptist church, and in his vigorous manhood was one of the most active in the church’s good work in Iowa City.
He was one of the organizers of the Johnson County’s Old Settlers’ Association in 1866, and had always taken a deep interest in its affairs. At the time of his death, he was one of the trustees of Iowa City township, an office he had filled several terms. He was also a number of times assessor of the city and in early years of the township.

Mr. Swafford was twice married, first in 1843 in Iowa City. Of this marriage five children are living. Joseph of Chicago; Button of St. Louis; Charles of California; Homer of Hull, Iowa, and one daughter, Mrs. Alice Fagg, whose home is in Kansas. Mrs. Swafford died in 1875. About twelve years since he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Morris, who survives him.

The funeral, which will be held under the auspices of the Masonic order, of which he was so long a member, will take place from the family residence Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. (Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen, 13 Nov 1899, Mon., pg. 5)