Swearingen, Richard Rev. 1825 – 1900

SWEARINGEN, PAGE, KEELER, FRANKLIN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/21/2020 at 10:03:30

Source: Decorah Republican Nov. 1, 1900 P 2 C 3

REV. RICHARD SWEARINGEN.
Death of the Veteran Preacher and Theologian.
A Marshalltown dispatch dated the 23d reports the death of Rev. Richard Swearingen, who was preacher on the Decorah charge in 1872, and Presiding Elder on Decorah District from 1873 to 1876. He was a unique character in many respects, and possessed a native ability that, had it been given early culture, would have made him a much brighter light. As it was. In the niche he filled he was a strong, rugged man of the pioneer type.
A prominent preacher of the M. E. church, and one of the best known men In religious circles in Iowa, passed away Sunday, when Rev. Richard Swearingen, now of Gladbrook, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Albert Page, in this city. Rev. Swearingen was an elderly man, but had possessed a rugged constitution. His death was a surprise to many Thursday he came to the home of a daughter here, because he was indisposed. He did not seem very ill, nor did he so consider himself. It was not until Sunday morning that it was seen that his condition was such as to give alarm, and his death was a great shock.
Rev. Swearingen was born in Brook county, West Virginia, Feb. 2d, 1825. When only 12 years old he came to Iowa and when yet a young man entered the ministry of the M. E. church. He was the last surviving member of the first conference of the state. Fifty-five times he has been appointed to a pastorate, the greatest number of any minister in the state. He had just been returned to Gladbrook for his second year. Possessed of but little school instruction he was a self-educated man. He was a logician and a keen and forceful speaker. In the old days when the theological debate played so prominent a part in the religious world he made a reputation for himself on the platform.
He was married In Dubuque county on March 2, 1848. His wife died seven years ago. Seven children were born to them, of whom five are living. They are Mrs. Page, of this city; Mrs. C. M. Keeler, Des Moines, Mrs. Earl Franklin, Elwood; Edward R. Swearingen, Milwaukee; and Perry L. Swearingen, Toledo.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown.