Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 835
FRED H. SWAN

Prominent among the representative citizens of Harrison county, Iowa, and pre-eminently distinguished for his ability in carrying to completion private enterprises and enjoying prestige far beyond the limits of the community honored by his residence, Fred H. SWAN, a farmer and breeder, of La Grange township, stands out as a clear and conspicuous figure among the successful men of Harrison county. Mr. SWAN's good judgement and executive ability have enabled him to succeed far beyond the expectations of most men. He has been honored by the citizens of his township, but his greatest achievements lie in the field of private endeavor.

Fred H. SWAN was born at Beebeetown, Harrison county, Iowa, the son of Clark and Kitie (CASWELL) SWAN, to whom three children were born, Bert, who is deceased; Fred H., the subject of this sketch; and Harriett, who is living with her brother Fred at the present time on account of the death of his wife. She has been a teacher for the past nine years and was four years principal of the third ward school of Missouri Valley.

Clark SWAN was born in 1841, near Watertown, New York. He enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War in 1862 and was a cavalryman. At the close of the war he came west and bought eighty acres of land in La Grange township. He added land to the eighty acres and owned farm property in both La Grange and Union township. He farmed until his retirement in 1902 and then moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa, where he lived until his death in 1906. His wife, the mother of the subject, was born in 1934, in Canada. She is now living with her son, Fred H.

Fred H. SWAN attended the schools of La Grange township and the Northwest Normal, at Lincoln, Nebraska, for two years. He remained on the farm with his father with whom he was in partnership until his father retired when he took charge of the land. Fred H. SWAN now owns one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land. He employs only the most up-to-date and modern farm machinery, being a great user of gas tractors for plowing. He has made extensive improvements upon his land including a complete water system. In 1909 Mr. SWAN began the breeding of thorough-bred Duroc-Jersey hogs and Hereford cattle. He has exhibited these hogs in a great many states and at the state fair at Des Moines, in 1914, he won second prize on a junior yearling. His prize winner is Grand Champion and has always won prizes and sweepstakes at the inter-state fairs. Mr. SWAN has between five and six hundred head of hogs and ships them all over the United States for breeding purposes. He is now farming three hundred and twenty acres of land in La Grange township, Harrison county.

Mr. SWAN was married in 1901 to Dollie AXTELL, who was born in 1882 in Pottawattamie county. She is a daughter of James and Mary (GRAHAM) AXTELL, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. Both are now living at Missouri Valley, Iowa. To this union four children have been born, Frederick, Alice, Clay and one child who died in infancy. The mother died at its birth.

Mr. SWAN is a Democrat and was elected township trustee in 1912, the duties of which office he is discharging to the entire satisfaction of the people of La Grange township. His family are members of the Methodist church and active in church work. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In every respect Fred H. SWAN is a representative citizen of Harrison county, and, by virtue of his success as a breeder of thoroughbred stock, is one of the best known farmers in the whole state of Iowa. He is a credit to his community and a credit to the county which gave him birth.

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