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         JOSEPH SWAN, one of the early settlers of Louisa County, and a well-to-do farmer, who is residing on section 32, Morning Sun Township, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Jan. 15, 1824, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (McConnell) Swan. Both parents were born in Huntingdon County, the father in the month of February, 1784, the mother on the 1st of January, 1788. They were married in that county, and . . .

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. . . in the fall of 1838 removed to Preble County, Ohio, where Mr. Swan worked at his trade of blacksmithing, which he had learned when a young man. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but though taking an interest in political affairs was never a politician. He and his wife were both lifelong members of the Presbyterian Church, earnest Christian people, and were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, five of whom are living: Elizabeth became the wife of George Appleby, who died in Monmouth, Ill, in 1888, where she yet resides; William died of cholera in Blountsville, Ind., in 1848; James M., one of the pioneer members of the Presbyterian Church, of Morning Sun, who was widely known among the early settlers, died in April, 1867; John is now living in Huntingdon County, Pa.; Rev. George M., who was educated at the Miami University in Ohio, was formerly a resident of this county, but died in Pennsylvania, in September, 1877; Eleanore C., who became the wife of R. H. Stewart, now deceased, was a resident of Morning sun, where his death occurred in 1887; Joseph, of this sketch, and Benjamin, now living in Kansas, is the youngest of the family. Mr. Swan died July 3, 1839, and his wife survived him many years, her death occurring in August, 1867.

During his boyhood, when fourteen years of age, our subject removed with his parents to Preble County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools. When twenty-five years of age he was appointed by the Bible Society to distribute tracts, and continued in that employment for about three years. In 1854 he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mollie B. Hamilton, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hamilton, who were pioneers of this county. Mrs. Swan was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1822, and six children graced their union: John J., who married Edith Conger, is living in this county; Elizabeth G. is the wife of J. G. Bergen, also a resident of this county; George L. wedded Jennie Gregory, daughter of David Gregory; William C. became the husband of Ella McClure, daughter of Alex McClure; Alex C. married Miss Maggie Patterson, a daughter of Charles Patterson; and Erastus M. is single. On the 26th of July, 1873, Mrs. Swan, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a sincere Christian lady, was called to her final home. Mr. Swan was again married, Miss Susan J. Lippitt, a native of Ohio, becoming his wife. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Morning Sun, and was Ruling Elder for eighteen years, at the end of which time he resigned. He first came to Louisa County in 1845, though he remained but a short time, and returned in 1850, since which time he has made it his permanent place of residence. By industry, enterprise and good business ability, he has secured a comfortable home, and to-day is one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, owning 400 acres of fine farming land, which is valued at $50 per acre. His honesty and fair dealing have won him the confidence of all, and he is highly esteemed both as a citizen and a friend.