For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 89
FITCH WILLIAM SWAN---The business interests of Muscatine find a worthy representative in Fitch William Swan, proprietor of an attractive jewelry establishment. He has based his business principles upon the rules which govern strict industry and unswerving integrity and in the legitimate lines of trade, by reason of an enterprising spirit and progressive method, has gradually advanced toward the goal of success. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 8, 1850, and is one of the six children of Nathan F. and Juliet F. ( Smith ) Swan, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. It was there that the paternal grandparents, Mott and Cynthia Swan, were also born and reared. Nathan Swan was a carpenter by trade and in the year 1851 came to Muscatine, where he later took up contracting and was thus closely identified with the building operations of the city for many years. He aided in erecting many of the leading buildings here and was especially proficient as a stair builder. He died in 1875 at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife passed away in 1905, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church, while she was a member of the Congregational church. Five of their children reached years of maturity: Harriet, the wife od Charles Cadle, of Muscatine; Fitch William, of this review; Minnie, who died at the age of seventeen years; Lizzie, who died when a young lady of twenty-two years; and Fred, who died at the age of eighteen.Fitch W. Swan was brought to Muscatine during his infancy and attended the public schools here. Entering business life, he was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store for a short period and then began learning the jeweler's and watchmaker's trade, with which line he has since been connected. He has carried on business on his own account since 1876 and is now proprietor of one of the well appointed establishments of the city. He carries a large and well selected line of jewelry of both foreign and domestic manufacture and the honorable and straightforward business methods which he employs have advanced him far on the high road to success. Indeed he is numbered among the men of affluence in Muscatine and his life record may well serve to encourage and inspire others.
On the 22d of September, 2882, Mr. Swan was married to Miss Mollie Howe, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of George Howe. Her death occurred November 19, 1902, and on the 29th of May, 1907 Mr. Swan was married to Miss Elsie Corey, a native of this county. Mr. Swan belongs to Iowa Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; and Wyoming Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. His wife is a devoted member of the Baptist church as was also his first wife, who started the pipe organ fund for the church, which has been made a memorial organ by the gift of her husband.
In his political views Mr. Swan has always been a stalwart republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests, which have constantly grown in volume and importance and have made him one of the leading merchants of the city.
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