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         JOHN A. SWAN, of the firm of Delzell & Swan, dealers in groceries and queensware at Morning Sun, Iowa, was born in Preble County, Ohio, Dec. 7, 1839, and is a son of James M. and Nancy A. (Rouse) Swan, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. In 1846 he emigrated with the family to Louisa County, Iowa, where he received his education in the common schools. He attended the first school ever taught in Morning Sun Township, which was held in an old log cabin, the residence of ‘Squire Brown, the teacher being Thomas Brown. The old building is yet standing, and is one of the few relics of pioneer days which have withstood the ravages of time. The seats were made of slabs, which were placed upon pins driven into the floor, and the desks consisted of slabs which were fixed up around the wall, thus causing the backs of the scholars to be turned toward the teacher. In such buildings many men who have gained prominence in the nation and held the highest offices in the gift of the people received their early education.

Mr. Swan remained upon the farm until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he offered his services in defense of the Union. When Ft. Sumter was fired upon, and the echo went thundering over the country, it awoke the slumbering patriotism in his breast, and he enrolled his name with the brave boys of the 8th Iowa Cavalry for three years’ service. Being mustered in at Davenport, he was then sent to Louisville, Ky., later went to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Bolton, Ga., and was in the line of battle when taken sick with typhoid fever. Being sent to Chattanooga, Tenn., he there was confined in the hospital some time, but was subsequently sent back to Nashville, Tenn., and placed in hospital No. 1, where he lay sick for almost a year. He received his discharge at the close of the war, and returning home again, went back to the farm though but a shadow of the young man who started out full of life and vigor. For two years he was unable to perform any kind of labor, during which time he was kept under medical treatment, and has never yet fully regained his health.

Mr. Swan made his home on the farm, which was located by his father in 1846. He bought out the shares of the other heirs, and now owns the original homestead of 120 acres, which is under a fine state of cultivation. He there resided until March, 1883, when, on account of his health, he embarked in the grocery business as above stated.

On the 31st of January, 1857, his marriage with Miss Ann Eliza Paisley was celebrated. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1848, and is a daughter of S. M. Paisley. Mr. and Mrs. Swan are members of the Presbyterian Church. She is also a member of the W. C. T. U., and President of the Women’s Missionary Society, and devotes much of her time and attention to the advancement of the different lines of work. Politically, Mr. Swan is a Republican. He is prominent in the promotion of enterprises which have for their object the public good, and during his forty-two years’ residence in this county has gained many warm friends. His honesty and fair dealing have won for him a liberal patronage in his line of business, and his trade is constantly increasing.