Swanzey, William (1825-1903)

SWANZEY, LONG, LOVE, REED

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/14/2011 at 20:18:22

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
3-20-1903

Death of William Swanzey

William Swanzey died at his residence in this city, after a few weeks illness, yesterday afternoon. His death was due chiefly to a general breaking up of the system, caused by the infirmities of old age. For several days the end had been looked for and his sons were summoned from a distance and with the LeMars relatives have been in constant attendance at his bedside.

Death came peacefully. The dying man surrounded by his loved ones, faced the approaching angel, as only a christian and a brave man can. His faith was strong in a Savior and a better and
brighter life beyond the veil.

William Swanzey was born in Center county, Pennsylania on February 3, 1825, and there he spent his boyhood years and grew to manhood. He was unuited in marriage on February 12,1850, to Mary Williamson Reed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swanzey trace descent from the earilest pioneers of this country, their ancestors being inseparably connected with the early settlement and civilization of the state in which they first saw the light. Mr. Swanzey's ancestors came from Ireland more than two hundred years ago as shown in the genealogical tree in possession of members of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Swanzey were pioneers in the west leaving their eastern home and settling on a farm in Stevenson county, in Illinois in 1852 where they prospered and life looked bright until the dark shadow of the Civil war hovered over the land. Mr. Swanzey volunteered for service in the first few months after the war broke out and in September 1861 was enrolled as member of Company, G Forty-Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Wounds and sickness incapacitated him from further service the following year and he received an honorable discharge. He returned to Freeport, Ill, and lived there until 1893 when he came to LeMars to live, his daughters having preceded him here in 1888, since which time this has been his home.

Mr. Swanzey was highly respected and liked in the community. He was of a strongly religous turn of mind, and a faithful, adherent to the tenets of the Presbyterian church of which he was a devout and consistent member. He was an elder in the church for many years.

The deceased was a member of Giblem Lodge No. 822 A. F. and A. M. and also a member of Mower Post, G. A. R.

He leaves a widow, and four children H. A. Swanzey, Chicago; H. T. Swanzey, Omaha; Mrs. Robert Long and Mrs. Bryson Love, of this city.

The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon at the First Presbyterian church at 2 o'clock p. m.
The members of the Mower Post and the Masonic lodge will attend the funeral in a body.

Civil War Record
 

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