John and Florence (Penn) Swift

SWIFT, PENN, GRAETTINGER, THORESON, BISHOP

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/9/2011 at 13:16:20

John Henry Swift was born in Vernon Township on June 10, 1885, Florence Eleanor Penn was born in Jack Creek Township on August 18, 1890.

In his early years, John and his brother, Joe, ran a livery stable in town, renting horses and driving passengers to other towns by buggy or sleigh. In later years, he was the manager of the Quaker Oats elevator until he retired. He served on the town council for several years.

Florence taught school in the Hoprig School until she and John were married on January 10, 1911.

They had three daughters, Mrs. Al (Violet) Graettinger of Graettinger, Mrs. Goodwin (Elaine) Thoreson of Spirit Lake, now deceased, and Mrs. Warren (Bette) Bishop of Fairmont, Minnesota. They have twelve grandchildren.

Florence passed away in 1976. John was killed in a tractor-car accident in 1957 when he was hauling beans from his son-in-law's farm.

--From Graettinger Centennial 1893-1993 p. 303