Swift, Hiram 1867-1926

SWIFT, KNOWLTON

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/16/2014 at 19:38:00

Hiram Swift, for forty years a citizen of Sioux County and for the past sixteen years a resident of Hawarden, was found dead Wednesday morning at the foot of the stairway leading to the basement of his home by his son, Irving Swift. One foot was caught between the steps leading down to the basement and his head rested upon the basement floor. He had apparently pitched headlong down the stairs. A physciian was at once summoned following the finding of the body but life had been extinct for several hours. There was a bruise on top of the head where it had struck the basement floor, but this hardly seemed sufficient to have caused death, and his neck was not broken, so it is conjectured that he must have been seized with heart failure when descending the stairway.

Irving Swift went home about 10 o'clock Tuesday night and immediately retired, leaving his father still sitting up. He heard no sound during the night and when he awake Wed. morning was surprised to find the electric lights in the house still burning. He immediately made an investigation which resulted in the finding of the lifeless body of his father.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon and Rev. Edwin Booth, pastor of the Associated Church will be in charge. Interment will be made in the cemetery at Ireton.

Hiram Swift was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Swift and came to Sioux County with his parents forty years ago. He was born at Pecatonica, Ill. Sept. 21, 1867 so was past 58 years of age at the time of his death. He started farming for himself immediately after coming to Sioux County. He operated a farm, four miles east of Hawarden, for a few years and then moved onto the farm, a mile northwest of Ireton, which he ownd and operated until 1910. On Jan. 13, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Knowlton of Ireton. In 1910 Mr. Swift moved to Hawarden with his family and has since been a resident of this city. Mrs. Swift died very suddenly on March 24, 1916, exactly ten years prior to Mr. Swift's death.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Swift. One son, Russell, died when quite young. Those who survive are Irving and Harry Swift of Hawarden and Mrs. Lewis J. Haines of Sioux City. He also leaves two brothers, Lovell Swift of Hawarden and Anson Swift of Brookings, S.D. and one sister, Mrs. Irene Williams, residing northeast of Hawarden.

His sudden tragic death was a severe shock to the members of his family and they have the sympathy of all in their sorrow.

Source: Hawarden Independent March 25, 1926