Wilbur F. Swayze (ca. 1846-1906)

SWAYZE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/22/2012 at 14:27:15

From Story County Watchman February 23, 1906

Death of W. F. Swayze.

W. F. Swayze for many years cashier of the First National Bank of Nevada, died on Saturday February 12, 1906 in a hospital at Los Angeles. When he was here last summer he was recognized to be in poor health, and it had recently been reported that he was so ill that he was taken to a hospital and on Thursday of last week had a paralytic stroke from which he never rallied.

Mr. Swayze was a native of Canada but came to this country when but a boy. Before coming to Nevada he started a small bank at Victor Iowa but did not remain there long but became interested with Marshalltown parties who were branching out in the banking business. About this time they bought out the bank of O. B. Dutton in Nevada, and in 1882 Mr. Swayze came here to take charge of this institution as a newly organized National bank. In this position and work he continued for nearly twenty years. He sold out part of his interest in the bank Edgar John in 1901 and later disposed of ther portions of his stock, finally closing out his interest in the bank last summer. About five years ago he retired from the active management of the bank and joined his wife who had gone to Califonia for the benefit of her health. When free from business here they located at Los Angeles and he tried there to live in quiet retirement. He was not so constituted to be content unless in active business occupation and a year and a half ago organized at Los Angeles an new bank known as the "Home Savings Bank." He devoted his energies to the building up of this bank and when the condition of his health compelled him to quit. Last summber he made a trip to Nevada to conclude his business interests here an after his return to California his health steadily declined. Mr. Swayze was a man of most exceptional business ability, and he was in all his years here recognized as one of the men most interested in the development of the community and in the improvement of the city. He not only managed the National Bank but organized other banks in the county and elsewhere. He was a little more than sixty years of age and he really wore himself out doing for years hard and wearing mental work, which shows the capacity of the man.

He leaves behind his wife, a sister who lives at Vinton, Iowa, and a brother in Sacramento, California. The funeral was held Wednesday conducted by the Rev. J. A. M. Zeigler formerly pastor of the Lutheran church of this city.