CHARLES F. SWYGARD.

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         Charles F. Swygard, a general farmer and stockman of Des Moines county, was born in a log cabin on section 32, Elliott township, Louisa county, on the 23d of March, 1868. His parents are Frederick W. and Helena (Jugenheimer) Swygard, natives of Germany. The father, who is now seventy-eight years of age, makes his home in Mediapolis, but the mother passed away on the 26th of January, 1911. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: William H., a resident of Mediapolis; John P., who is also living in Mediapolis; Anna M., the wife of Henry Todd, of Wheatland, Oklahoma; Charles F., the subject of this sketch; James E., a resident of Colfax, Washington; Mary M., the wife of Frank Nelson, of Mediapolis; and Deborah E., who married J. B. Loper, of Oakville.

         The boyhood and youth of Charles F. Swygard were very similar to those of other boys of the time and of like circumstances who lived in the country. His education was obtained in the district schools of Iowa, and after mastering the common branches he laid aside his text-books and devoted his entire time and attention to the cultivation of the home farm until he was thirty-two years of age. Owing to the state of his health he then left the farm and went to Mediapolis, where he remained a year, and then worked out as a farm hand for eight years. In 1908 he bought the old homestead of one hundred and sixty . . .

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. . . acres, upon which he is now residing. He has made many improvements in the property during the period of his ownership and engages in general farming and stock-raising.

         On the 28th of December, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Swygard and Miss Carrie L. Hummel, of Peoria, Illinois. Mrs. Swygard was a daughter of Thomas and Frederica (Berges) Hummel, who had ten children: Lewis; Thomas, a resident of Peoria; Herman, Fred and Henry, also living in Peoria; Catherine, who married B. Swygard, of Burlington, Iowa; Carrie L., the wife of Charles F. Swygard; Ida, who married Otto Bender, of Peoria; Augusta, the wife of L. D. McAfee, also of Peoria; and John, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Swygard have four children, as follows: Edith S., who was born on the 24th of October, 1893; Frederick H., whose birth occurred on the 21st of August, 1897; Dorothea L., born on the 30th of September, 1900; and Lawrence E., born on the 30th of August, 1902.

         The religious faith of the family is manifested by their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Swygard affiliates with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given the republican party, for whose candidates he always casts his ballot. He has held some of the minor township offices and is now president of the school board. A large portion of his life has been spent in the community where he is now residing and where he has many friends.