Swanson, Alexander 1854-1912

SWANSON, MARSHALL, BORTELL, JACKSON, CARLSTROM, DUFFUS, MARTIN, PRATT, PETTIGREW, LINCOLN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/12/2013 at 08:02:25

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Oct. 8, 1912

ALEXANDER SWANSON

Mr. Alexander Swanson died at his home in Olds, Alberta, Canada, after a short illness of cancer of the stomach.

He had been troubled with the disease for some time, but the illness was not thought to be so serious. He was taken to a hospital in Calgary where an incision was made and finding it would be fatal the operation was not performed. He was kept in the hospital for two weeks until he gained enough strength to be taken to his home, where he died the evening of August 22, at the age of 57 years, 7 months and 18 days.

Mr. Swanson was born at Cathnershire, Scotland, Dec. 24, 1854.

He came to America in 1876 and lived in Illinois for a year. In 1877 he was married to Margaret Marshall, also of Scotland, and to this union were born six children, five girls and one boy, all of whom are living. They are Mrs. Elmer Bortell and Mrs. Will Jackson, of Grinnell, Mrs. Harry Carlstrom, of Gilman, Mrs. Clyde Duffus and Mr. John Swanson, of Ghost Pine, Alberta, and Miss Susie, of Olds.

Mr. Swanson lived near Grinnell nearly 28 years. He united with the First Baptist church of Grinnell, of which he was a devoted and consistent member until he moved to Olds, with his wife and part of the family in 1906, where he has resided since.

He joined the church at Olds by letter and has been a very faithful and devoted member.

He was a good citizen, honest, straightforward and respected by all who knew him.

Besides his wife and children he is mourned by four sisters and one brother: Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Pratt, of Scotland, Mrs. James Pettigrew, of Harvey, Ill., Mrs. Robert Lincoln of Grinnell, and Mr. Peter Swanson of Forestburg, S.D.

The funeral services were held at his home, August 24, conducted by Rev. A.B. Argue. The body was laid to rest in the Olds cemetery, all of his immediate family being present but one daughter, Mrs. H. Carlstrom.