Samuel S. Switzer

JOHNSON, SWITZER

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/10/2005 at 18:52:59

Samuel S. Switzer, of St. Charles, member of the firm of Switzer & Anderson, who conducts one of the large stores of the county, was born in DesMoines county, Iowa, on the i4th of October, 1858, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Lowry) Switzer, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Both families settled in the Keystone state in the early days of our country's history and were well known in their locality. Samuel Switzer removed to Ohio upon leaving his native state, but about 1848 came to Des Moines county, Iowa, whence two decades later he removed with his family to Clarke county. He was a successful farmer and stock feeder and accumulated a competence. He passed away in 1886, having survived his wife for five years. He was almost sixty-seven years of age at the time of his demise and she was about fifty-eight when called to her reward. She was a true Christian woman and a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of eight sons and three daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter are living. The subject of this review is the only one residing in Madison county. Two live in Clarke county, Iowa; one in Missouri, one is a railroad man in Wyoming, and a sister resides in Idaho.

Samuel S. Switzer was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to Clarke county and continued his education in the public schools there. From 1879 until 1882 he was telegraph operator for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and upon severing his connection with. that corporation he entered the employ of the Narrow Gauge railroad and was assigned to St. Charles as agent and telegraph operator. He at length decided to seek other fields of endeavor, resigned his position with the railroad company, and in November, 1885, was appointed postmaster of St. Charles, serving for three and a half years. He also started a grocery store as a member of the firm of Stimer & Switzer. In 1889 Mr. Lawhead was admitted to a partnership and in 1892 Mr. Switzer sold out, but in the following year began business as senior member of the firm of Switzer & Fleming, which continued until 1898, when Mr. Fleming sold to Mr. Hoi-ton. Business was conducted under the firm name of Switzer & Hoiton until 1902, when H. P. Anderson became the partner of our subject, and the present firm of Switzer & Anderson came into being. They conduct one of the largest general stores in Madison county and their trade is increasing from year to year, as their honorable methods enable them to hold custom once gained. They take great pains to keep their stock fresh and attractive, and as their goods are selected with a view to meeting the needs of their community, they are justly accounted among the progressive merchants of St. Charles.

Mr. Switzer was married in 1883 at St. Charles to Miss Hester J. Johnston, a daughter of J. M. Johnston, a well known stockman of St. Charles. She was reared and received her education here. To Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have been born three sons and four daughters: Ray, who is in his father's store; Beryl; Edith, deceased; Philip, the present postmaster of St. Charles; and Nevin V., Dorothea and Ruby, all at home.

Mr. Switzer is a democrat and for several terms was a member of the town council. Fraternally he is well known in local Masonic circles, having belonged to the order for many years. He has served several times as master of Model Lodge, No. 315, of St. Charles, and holds membership in Lebanon Chapter, No. n, R. A. M., of Winterset. Both he and his wife belong to Model Chapter, No. 174, 0. E. S., of St. Charles, of which she is past worthy matron. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and can be relied upon to further all good causes. Mr. Switzer is justly highly esteemed in his community, having at all times measured up to the standards of honor as man, merchant and citizen.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Hrerman Mueller.