Homer L. Swafford (1849-1916)

SWAFFORD, LODGE, MILLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/21/2022 at 19:03:37

From Nevada Representative June 13, 1916 (page 1)

OBITUARY

H. L. SWAFFORD

Homer L. Swafford, who for two extended periods in his lifetime was a citizen of Nevada, universally known and highly regarded and who recently returned here to make Nevada his residence for a third time, died suddenly in the early hours of Sunday morning. He had been down town in the day and again in the evening and had retired as usual; but awoke in the night with a severe coughing spell. While Mrs. Swafford was down stairs getting some warm water for him, he fell to the floor, and he was picked up unconscious only to pass away within a few minutes. His death is credited to an accident which he suffered in a lumber shed in Chicago several months ago, internal injuries resulting which prevented him from lying down and considerable activities. It was following this accident that he returned to Nevada, as it would now appear, to die.

Mr. Swafford was born at Iowa City May 17, 1849, and he died at Nevada, Iowa, June 11, 1916, aged 67 years and 25 days. He was married at Iowa City November 22, 1869, to Elizabeth Lodge, who with the members of their large family survives him. He had a business education and before his marriage he had already located in Nevada in the lumber yard that was then conducted by S. J. Mills. William Lockridge soon bought the yard and Mr. Swafford remained with him until 1886, when he removed to Hull in Sioux county to engage in the same employment. Fourteen years later, in 1890, he returned from Hull to Nevada and took his place again in the old yard, where he continued for another term of fully twenty years. Later he removed to Chicago, continuing however, in the lumber business, and it was in a lumber shed, as noted, that he met the accident which led to his death. All his life he was a lumberman; he understood the business and was invaluable in the yard where he served. As a citizen he was of high standing. In the olden day when the Democrats in Story county still fancied that they had some show, he was several time nominated for county office, and he was a member of the local school board when he removed to Hull. Besides his wife he leaves five sons and one daughter, the sons being Harry L. of LaGrange, Illinois; Homer C. of Chicago; Wilbur Burton, better known as "But," of Washington, D. C. and Carl and Fred of Nevada. Another son, Frank died a few years ago at Kansas City. The only daughter, Leona, ranked next in order after Burt and is now Mrs. T. J. Miller of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The absent children are all expected to be here for the funeral, which will be conducted Wednesday at two o'clock from the Presbyterian church.