The Warren Republican, Thursday, 1895
Death of Rev. S.H. Swaim
Rev. Samuel H. Swaim died at his home in Warren last Tuesday evening, after a very long and painful illness. His decline was slow and gradual until the last thirty-six hours when his strength failed rapidly. He was conscious until the last and was able to talk so as to be understood until only a few hours before his spirit took its flight from earth to heaven. He made every preparation for his departure and his wishes will be strictly complied with. Funeral services will take place this forenoon at 10:30 o'clock and interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery. The sermon will be preached at the M.E. church by the pastor, Rev. H. Bridge, assisted by Rev. W.D. Samuel.
One of the pioneers of this vicinity has passed away. He was an extraordinary man in both mental and physical endowments. His moral worth in the community was great. His interest in education and in all that tends to the elevation of the standard of good citizenship was deep and lasting. He was a zealous and uncompromising foe of the liquor traffic, and undeviatingly followed the course which he believed was consistent with his position on that subject. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. His like will ne'er be seen again.
An extended obituary will be published next week.
The Warren Republican, Thursday, April 25, 1895
Obituary
Rev. Samuel Hines, son of Simeon W. and Nancy Swaim, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, October 25th, 1820.
Simeon W. Swaim was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, March 18th, 1799. Nancy (Irwin) Swaim was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 27th, 1799: Christopher Columbus Swaim, father of Simeon W., was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, December 24th, 1774, under colonial government.
Simeon W. Swaim and Nancy Irwin were united in marriage December 21, 1819. To this union were born six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Samuel H. was the eldest. They emigrated from North Carolina in the fall of 1833 to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1836, during which time the father and son earned the money that entered one hundred and twenty acres of land (two miles east of where Warren is now located) in sections 27 and 28, in Salamonie township, Huntington county, Indiana, upon which they commenced to make a home in April, 1836.
The hardships of pioneer life were many, and the privations hard to bear, but they were preferred in a free state, rather than enjoy the comforts and blessings of an older settled but slave state.
Under these adverse circumstances Samuel H. Swaim passed his minority, being classed with the poor whites under a slave state government, and enduring the privations of a pioneer life during his youth, but with all these to contend with, his desire for knowledge, coupled with the determined efforts of his parents, (especially that of his mother) and the light of a pine knot in his southern home, and the tallow candle in Indiana, he acquired an education sufficient to enter the school room as teacher in the winter of 1844, and for more than twenty years (with two exceptions) he was employed as teacher every winter, never so far from his humble home but what he boarded under his own roof most of the time.
He was the friend of the orphan, having served as guardian for seven different ones.
At the age of thirteen he transacted much of his father's business, doing all his writing from that time on.
Writing and posting the first public sale bill ever put up in Salamonie township, those of his uncle, James Irwin's estate, of which his father was the administrator, taking it through court in his father's name. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at a camp meeting in the year 1840 at the age of twenty. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1843, and on May 13, 1847, he was licensed to preach. On the 16th day of September, 1855, he was ordained Deacon at a conference held at Goshen, Indiana, by Bishop Edward R. Ames, and ordained Elder at Logansport, Indiana, April 10th, 1859, by Bishop Thomas A. Morris.
He has preached as many funerals and solemnized as many marriages as any other one man in this part of the country. He never entered the regular traveling ministry, but three different times he has supplied the place of pastor on Warren circuit, under the call of the presiding Elder. He has been faithful to his Church under any and all circumstances in which he has held official position other than preacher for more than fifty years. He took great interest in education matters, helping to locate the first school houses of his township, yet he was glad to see the day when the old log school house gave place to the more modern and commodious frame, and rejoiced when the frames gave place to the more substantial brick school buildings which now dot our township at every two miles station, with a large six-room graded school building in Warren, and his grandson one of the township teachers. He has lived to see the school term advanced from 60 to 135 days per year, the requirements necessary to fit one to teach are a generation in advance of him. He has seen this, his adopted county, in every stage from the wilderness until there is a farm house on nearly every 80 acres, and when you could count the votes of Salamonie township on your fingers until there were more than 650 votes cast at the election of 1894.
He is the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, William F., Mahala M., Harriett A.S., Simeon A., Mary A., Elisabeth A., and David S. Two of these Mahala M. and Simeon A,) are deceased. David S. lives in San Diego, Calafornia, Mary A. at Demorest, Georgia. The other three live in or near Warren. His children owe more to his personal efforts and instruction at home for the education they have attained than to any other cause, the public school not excepted. He was elected surveyor of Huntington county in 1852, and for two years spent his time running lines and locating corners. His work in this line was a success, future surveyors paying him this tribute: "We never have any trouble with Swaim's surveys; his lines are easily followed, because his corners were permanently located."
He has been a sufferer from hernia since April, 1850, otherwise a stout, hearty, robust man standing 5 feet 10 inches, and weighing about 180 pounds. He came to Indiana when the red man was yet an inhabitant. He helped to dig the fourth grave for a white person ever dug in Salamonie township, but now the fourth cemetery is a necessity.
In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party from his majority up to 1854; from that time until 1882, he was a zealous Republican. Since 1882, he has been an uncompromising Probitionist, swerving for no man nor for any reason.
True to his convictions, always ready to give a reason for faith that was in him, he was never hard to locate by his fellowmen.
His grandfather, Christopher C., died two miles east of Warren Ind., in 1851. His father passed away in his prime, near Warren, Ind. in May, 1847.
His mother died in Warren in September, 1865. The campanion of his youth was Miss Elisabeth P. Back, the youngest daughter of Aaron and Margaret Back, who were Virginians by birth, Aaron having done service for his country in the struggle of 1812.
Samuel H. Swaim and Elisabeth P. Back were united in marriage November 15th, 1841, by Leander Morrison, the first Justice of the Peace in Salamonie township, and have traveled life's journey together for more than 53 years. Many have been the conflicts, and had the labors of their lives together, but God has been their support in all these years.
He took to his bed November 26, 1894, and was never out of the house again. His sufferings were intense. He realized his condition was serious from the beginning of his sickness, and was conscious until within a few hours of his death, which occurred at his residence in Warren at 4:55 o'clock Tuesday evening, April 16th, 1895. The funeral occurred at the Methodist church by Rev. W.D. Samuel, pastor of the Christian church, on Thursday, April 18th, at 10:30 A.M. Interment in Woodlawn cemetery.
He helped dig the fourth grave in Salamonie township, and now he is the fourth person buried in the fourth cemetery at Warren. He never cast a ballot any where save in Salamonie township, and has never missed an election since the spring of 1842. The pioneers are dropping one by one.
His age was 74 years, 5 months and 21 days.
Death of Rev. S.H. Swaim
Rev. Samuel H. Swaim died at his home in Warren last Tuesday evening, after a very long and painful illness. His decline was slow and gradual until the last thirty-six hours when his strength failed rapidly. He was conscious until the last and was able to talk so as to be understood until only a few hours before his spirit took its flight from earth to heaven. He made every preparation for his departure and his wishes will be strictly complied with. Funeral services will take place this forenoon at 10:30 o'clock and interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery. The sermon will be preached at the M.E. church by the pastor, Rev. H. Bridge, assisted by Rev. W.D. Samuel.
One of the pioneers of this vicinity has passed away. He was an extraordinary man in both mental and physical endowments. His moral worth in the community was great. His interest in education and in all that tends to the elevation of the standard of good citizenship was deep and lasting. He was a zealous and uncompromising foe of the liquor traffic, and undeviatingly followed the course which he believed was consistent with his position on that subject. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. His like will ne'er be seen again.
An extended obituary will be published next week.
The Warren Republican, Thursday, April 25, 1895
Obituary
Rev. Samuel Hines, son of Simeon W. and Nancy Swaim, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, October 25th, 1820.
Simeon W. Swaim was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, March 18th, 1799. Nancy (Irwin) Swaim was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 27th, 1799: Christopher Columbus Swaim, father of Simeon W., was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, December 24th, 1774, under colonial government.
Simeon W. Swaim and Nancy Irwin were united in marriage December 21, 1819. To this union were born six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Samuel H. was the eldest. They emigrated from North Carolina in the fall of 1833 to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1836, during which time the father and son earned the money that entered one hundred and twenty acres of land (two miles east of where Warren is now located) in sections 27 and 28, in Salamonie township, Huntington county, Indiana, upon which they commenced to make a home in April, 1836.
The hardships of pioneer life were many, and the privations hard to bear, but they were preferred in a free state, rather than enjoy the comforts and blessings of an older settled but slave state.
Under these adverse circumstances Samuel H. Swaim passed his minority, being classed with the poor whites under a slave state government, and enduring the privations of a pioneer life during his youth, but with all these to contend with, his desire for knowledge, coupled with the determined efforts of his parents, (especially that of his mother) and the light of a pine knot in his southern home, and the tallow candle in Indiana, he acquired an education sufficient to enter the school room as teacher in the winter of 1844, and for more than twenty years (with two exceptions) he was employed as teacher every winter, never so far from his humble home but what he boarded under his own roof most of the time.
He was the friend of the orphan, having served as guardian for seven different ones.
At the age of thirteen he transacted much of his father's business, doing all his writing from that time on.
Writing and posting the first public sale bill ever put up in Salamonie township, those of his uncle, James Irwin's estate, of which his father was the administrator, taking it through court in his father's name. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at a camp meeting in the year 1840 at the age of twenty. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1843, and on May 13, 1847, he was licensed to preach. On the 16th day of September, 1855, he was ordained Deacon at a conference held at Goshen, Indiana, by Bishop Edward R. Ames, and ordained Elder at Logansport, Indiana, April 10th, 1859, by Bishop Thomas A. Morris.
He has preached as many funerals and solemnized as many marriages as any other one man in this part of the country. He never entered the regular traveling ministry, but three different times he has supplied the place of pastor on Warren circuit, under the call of the presiding Elder. He has been faithful to his Church under any and all circumstances in which he has held official position other than preacher for more than fifty years. He took great interest in education matters, helping to locate the first school houses of his township, yet he was glad to see the day when the old log school house gave place to the more modern and commodious frame, and rejoiced when the frames gave place to the more substantial brick school buildings which now dot our township at every two miles station, with a large six-room graded school building in Warren, and his grandson one of the township teachers. He has lived to see the school term advanced from 60 to 135 days per year, the requirements necessary to fit one to teach are a generation in advance of him. He has seen this, his adopted county, in every stage from the wilderness until there is a farm house on nearly every 80 acres, and when you could count the votes of Salamonie township on your fingers until there were more than 650 votes cast at the election of 1894.
He is the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, William F., Mahala M., Harriett A.S., Simeon A., Mary A., Elisabeth A., and David S. Two of these Mahala M. and Simeon A,) are deceased. David S. lives in San Diego, Calafornia, Mary A. at Demorest, Georgia. The other three live in or near Warren. His children owe more to his personal efforts and instruction at home for the education they have attained than to any other cause, the public school not excepted. He was elected surveyor of Huntington county in 1852, and for two years spent his time running lines and locating corners. His work in this line was a success, future surveyors paying him this tribute: "We never have any trouble with Swaim's surveys; his lines are easily followed, because his corners were permanently located."
He has been a sufferer from hernia since April, 1850, otherwise a stout, hearty, robust man standing 5 feet 10 inches, and weighing about 180 pounds. He came to Indiana when the red man was yet an inhabitant. He helped to dig the fourth grave for a white person ever dug in Salamonie township, but now the fourth cemetery is a necessity.
In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party from his majority up to 1854; from that time until 1882, he was a zealous Republican. Since 1882, he has been an uncompromising Probitionist, swerving for no man nor for any reason.
True to his convictions, always ready to give a reason for faith that was in him, he was never hard to locate by his fellowmen.
His grandfather, Christopher C., died two miles east of Warren Ind., in 1851. His father passed away in his prime, near Warren, Ind. in May, 1847.
His mother died in Warren in September, 1865. The campanion of his youth was Miss Elisabeth P. Back, the youngest daughter of Aaron and Margaret Back, who were Virginians by birth, Aaron having done service for his country in the struggle of 1812.
Samuel H. Swaim and Elisabeth P. Back were united in marriage November 15th, 1841, by Leander Morrison, the first Justice of the Peace in Salamonie township, and have traveled life's journey together for more than 53 years. Many have been the conflicts, and had the labors of their lives together, but God has been their support in all these years.
He took to his bed November 26, 1894, and was never out of the house again. His sufferings were intense. He realized his condition was serious from the beginning of his sickness, and was conscious until within a few hours of his death, which occurred at his residence in Warren at 4:55 o'clock Tuesday evening, April 16th, 1895. The funeral occurred at the Methodist church by Rev. W.D. Samuel, pastor of the Christian church, on Thursday, April 18th, at 10:30 A.M. Interment in Woodlawn cemetery.
He helped dig the fourth grave in Salamonie township, and now he is the fourth person buried in the fourth cemetery at Warren. He never cast a ballot any where save in Salamonie township, and has never missed an election since the spring of 1842. The pioneers are dropping one by one.
His age was 74 years, 5 months and 21 days.
The Warren Republican, Thursday, 1895
Death of Rev. S.H. Swaim
Rev. Samuel H. Swaim died at his home in Warren last Tuesday evening, after a very long and painful illness. His decline was slow and gradual until the last thirty-six hours when his strength failed rapidly. He was conscious until the last and was able to talk so as to be understood until only a few hours before his spirit took its flight from earth to heaven. He made every preparation for his departure and his wishes will be strictly complied with. Funeral services will take place this forenoon at 10:30 o'clock and interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery. The sermon will be preached at the M.E. church by the pastor, Rev. H. Bridge, assisted by Rev. W.D. Samuel.
One of the pioneers of this vicinity has passed away. He was an extraordinary man in both mental and physical endowments. His moral worth in the community was great. His interest in education and in all that tends to the elevation of the standard of good citizenship was deep and lasting. He was a zealous and uncompromising foe of the liquor traffic, and undeviatingly followed the course which he believed was consistent with his position on that subject. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. His like will ne'er be seen again.
An extended obituary will be published next week.
The Warren Republican, Thursday, April 25, 1895
Obituary
Rev. Samuel Hines, son of Simeon W. and Nancy Swaim, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, October 25th, 1820.
Simeon W. Swaim was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, March 18th, 1799. Nancy (Irwin) Swaim was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 27th, 1799: Christopher Columbus Swaim, father of Simeon W., was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, December 24th, 1774, under colonial government.
Simeon W. Swaim and Nancy Irwin were united in marriage December 21, 1819. To this union were born six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Samuel H. was the eldest. They emigrated from North Carolina in the fall of 1833 to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1836, during which time the father and son earned the money that entered one hundred and twenty acres of land (two miles east of where Warren is now located) in sections 27 and 28, in Salamonie township, Huntington county, Indiana, upon which they commenced to make a home in April, 1836.
The hardships of pioneer life were many, and the privations hard to bear, but they were preferred in a free state, rather than enjoy the comforts and blessings of an older settled but slave state.
Under these adverse circumstances Samuel H. Swaim passed his minority, being classed with the poor whites under a slave state government, and enduring the privations of a pioneer life during his youth, but with all these to contend with, his desire for knowledge, coupled with the determined efforts of his parents, (especially that of his mother) and the light of a pine knot in his southern home, and the tallow candle in Indiana, he acquired an education sufficient to enter the school room as teacher in the winter of 1844, and for more than twenty years (with two exceptions) he was employed as teacher every winter, never so far from his humble home but what he boarded under his own roof most of the time.
He was the friend of the orphan, having served as guardian for seven different ones.
At the age of thirteen he transacted much of his father's business, doing all his writing from that time on.
Writing and posting the first public sale bill ever put up in Salamonie township, those of his uncle, James Irwin's estate, of which his father was the administrator, taking it through court in his father's name. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at a camp meeting in the year 1840 at the age of twenty. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1843, and on May 13, 1847, he was licensed to preach. On the 16th day of September, 1855, he was ordained Deacon at a conference held at Goshen, Indiana, by Bishop Edward R. Ames, and ordained Elder at Logansport, Indiana, April 10th, 1859, by Bishop Thomas A. Morris.
He has preached as many funerals and solemnized as many marriages as any other one man in this part of the country. He never entered the regular traveling ministry, but three different times he has supplied the place of pastor on Warren circuit, under the call of the presiding Elder. He has been faithful to his Church under any and all circumstances in which he has held official position other than preacher for more than fifty years. He took great interest in education matters, helping to locate the first school houses of his township, yet he was glad to see the day when the old log school house gave place to the more modern and commodious frame, and rejoiced when the frames gave place to the more substantial brick school buildings which now dot our township at every two miles station, with a large six-room graded school building in Warren, and his grandson one of the township teachers. He has lived to see the school term advanced from 60 to 135 days per year, the requirements necessary to fit one to teach are a generation in advance of him. He has seen this, his adopted county, in every stage from the wilderness until there is a farm house on nearly every 80 acres, and when you could count the votes of Salamonie township on your fingers until there were more than 650 votes cast at the election of 1894.
He is the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, William F., Mahala M., Harriett A.S., Simeon A., Mary A., Elisabeth A., and David S. Two of these Mahala M. and Simeon A,) are deceased. David S. lives in San Diego, Calafornia, Mary A. at Demorest, Georgia. The other three live in or near Warren. His children owe more to his personal efforts and instruction at home for the education they have attained than to any other cause, the public school not excepted. He was elected surveyor of Huntington county in 1852, and for two years spent his time running lines and locating corners. His work in this line was a success, future surveyors paying him this tribute: "We never have any trouble with Swaim's surveys; his lines are easily followed, because his corners were permanently located."
He has been a sufferer from hernia since April, 1850, otherwise a stout, hearty, robust man standing 5 feet 10 inches, and weighing about 180 pounds. He came to Indiana when the red man was yet an inhabitant. He helped to dig the fourth grave for a white person ever dug in Salamonie township, but now the fourth cemetery is a necessity.
In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party from his majority up to 1854; from that time until 1882, he was a zealous Republican. Since 1882, he has been an uncompromising Probitionist, swerving for no man nor for any reason.
True to his convictions, always ready to give a reason for faith that was in him, he was never hard to locate by his fellowmen.
His grandfather, Christopher C., died two miles east of Warren Ind., in 1851. His father passed away in his prime, near Warren, Ind. in May, 1847.
His mother died in Warren in September, 1865. The campanion of his youth was Miss Elisabeth P. Back, the youngest daughter of Aaron and Margaret Back, who were Virginians by birth, Aaron having done service for his country in the struggle of 1812.
Samuel H. Swaim and Elisabeth P. Back were united in marriage November 15th, 1841, by Leander Morrison, the first Justice of the Peace in Salamonie township, and have traveled life's journey together for more than 53 years. Many have been the conflicts, and had the labors of their lives together, but God has been their support in all these years.
He took to his bed November 26, 1894, and was never out of the house again. His sufferings were intense. He realized his condition was serious from the beginning of his sickness, and was conscious until within a few hours of his death, which occurred at his residence in Warren at 4:55 o'clock Tuesday evening, April 16th, 1895. The funeral occurred at the Methodist church by Rev. W.D. Samuel, pastor of the Christian church, on Thursday, April 18th, at 10:30 A.M. Interment in Woodlawn cemetery.
He helped dig the fourth grave in Salamonie township, and now he is the fourth person buried in the fourth cemetery at Warren. He never cast a ballot any where save in Salamonie township, and has never missed an election since the spring of 1842. The pioneers are dropping one by one.
His age was 74 years, 5 months and 21 days.
Death of Rev. S.H. Swaim
Rev. Samuel H. Swaim died at his home in Warren last Tuesday evening, after a very long and painful illness. His decline was slow and gradual until the last thirty-six hours when his strength failed rapidly. He was conscious until the last and was able to talk so as to be understood until only a few hours before his spirit took its flight from earth to heaven. He made every preparation for his departure and his wishes will be strictly complied with. Funeral services will take place this forenoon at 10:30 o'clock and interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery. The sermon will be preached at the M.E. church by the pastor, Rev. H. Bridge, assisted by Rev. W.D. Samuel.
One of the pioneers of this vicinity has passed away. He was an extraordinary man in both mental and physical endowments. His moral worth in the community was great. His interest in education and in all that tends to the elevation of the standard of good citizenship was deep and lasting. He was a zealous and uncompromising foe of the liquor traffic, and undeviatingly followed the course which he believed was consistent with his position on that subject. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. His like will ne'er be seen again.
An extended obituary will be published next week.
The Warren Republican, Thursday, April 25, 1895
Obituary
Rev. Samuel Hines, son of Simeon W. and Nancy Swaim, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, October 25th, 1820.
Simeon W. Swaim was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, March 18th, 1799. Nancy (Irwin) Swaim was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, February 27th, 1799: Christopher Columbus Swaim, father of Simeon W., was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, December 24th, 1774, under colonial government.
Simeon W. Swaim and Nancy Irwin were united in marriage December 21, 1819. To this union were born six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Samuel H. was the eldest. They emigrated from North Carolina in the fall of 1833 to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1836, during which time the father and son earned the money that entered one hundred and twenty acres of land (two miles east of where Warren is now located) in sections 27 and 28, in Salamonie township, Huntington county, Indiana, upon which they commenced to make a home in April, 1836.
The hardships of pioneer life were many, and the privations hard to bear, but they were preferred in a free state, rather than enjoy the comforts and blessings of an older settled but slave state.
Under these adverse circumstances Samuel H. Swaim passed his minority, being classed with the poor whites under a slave state government, and enduring the privations of a pioneer life during his youth, but with all these to contend with, his desire for knowledge, coupled with the determined efforts of his parents, (especially that of his mother) and the light of a pine knot in his southern home, and the tallow candle in Indiana, he acquired an education sufficient to enter the school room as teacher in the winter of 1844, and for more than twenty years (with two exceptions) he was employed as teacher every winter, never so far from his humble home but what he boarded under his own roof most of the time.
He was the friend of the orphan, having served as guardian for seven different ones.
At the age of thirteen he transacted much of his father's business, doing all his writing from that time on.
Writing and posting the first public sale bill ever put up in Salamonie township, those of his uncle, James Irwin's estate, of which his father was the administrator, taking it through court in his father's name. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at a camp meeting in the year 1840 at the age of twenty. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1843, and on May 13, 1847, he was licensed to preach. On the 16th day of September, 1855, he was ordained Deacon at a conference held at Goshen, Indiana, by Bishop Edward R. Ames, and ordained Elder at Logansport, Indiana, April 10th, 1859, by Bishop Thomas A. Morris.
He has preached as many funerals and solemnized as many marriages as any other one man in this part of the country. He never entered the regular traveling ministry, but three different times he has supplied the place of pastor on Warren circuit, under the call of the presiding Elder. He has been faithful to his Church under any and all circumstances in which he has held official position other than preacher for more than fifty years. He took great interest in education matters, helping to locate the first school houses of his township, yet he was glad to see the day when the old log school house gave place to the more modern and commodious frame, and rejoiced when the frames gave place to the more substantial brick school buildings which now dot our township at every two miles station, with a large six-room graded school building in Warren, and his grandson one of the township teachers. He has lived to see the school term advanced from 60 to 135 days per year, the requirements necessary to fit one to teach are a generation in advance of him. He has seen this, his adopted county, in every stage from the wilderness until there is a farm house on nearly every 80 acres, and when you could count the votes of Salamonie township on your fingers until there were more than 650 votes cast at the election of 1894.
He is the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, William F., Mahala M., Harriett A.S., Simeon A., Mary A., Elisabeth A., and David S. Two of these Mahala M. and Simeon A,) are deceased. David S. lives in San Diego, Calafornia, Mary A. at Demorest, Georgia. The other three live in or near Warren. His children owe more to his personal efforts and instruction at home for the education they have attained than to any other cause, the public school not excepted. He was elected surveyor of Huntington county in 1852, and for two years spent his time running lines and locating corners. His work in this line was a success, future surveyors paying him this tribute: "We never have any trouble with Swaim's surveys; his lines are easily followed, because his corners were permanently located."
He has been a sufferer from hernia since April, 1850, otherwise a stout, hearty, robust man standing 5 feet 10 inches, and weighing about 180 pounds. He came to Indiana when the red man was yet an inhabitant. He helped to dig the fourth grave for a white person ever dug in Salamonie township, but now the fourth cemetery is a necessity.
In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party from his majority up to 1854; from that time until 1882, he was a zealous Republican. Since 1882, he has been an uncompromising Probitionist, swerving for no man nor for any reason.
True to his convictions, always ready to give a reason for faith that was in him, he was never hard to locate by his fellowmen.
His grandfather, Christopher C., died two miles east of Warren Ind., in 1851. His father passed away in his prime, near Warren, Ind. in May, 1847.
His mother died in Warren in September, 1865. The campanion of his youth was Miss Elisabeth P. Back, the youngest daughter of Aaron and Margaret Back, who were Virginians by birth, Aaron having done service for his country in the struggle of 1812.
Samuel H. Swaim and Elisabeth P. Back were united in marriage November 15th, 1841, by Leander Morrison, the first Justice of the Peace in Salamonie township, and have traveled life's journey together for more than 53 years. Many have been the conflicts, and had the labors of their lives together, but God has been their support in all these years.
He took to his bed November 26, 1894, and was never out of the house again. His sufferings were intense. He realized his condition was serious from the beginning of his sickness, and was conscious until within a few hours of his death, which occurred at his residence in Warren at 4:55 o'clock Tuesday evening, April 16th, 1895. The funeral occurred at the Methodist church by Rev. W.D. Samuel, pastor of the Christian church, on Thursday, April 18th, at 10:30 A.M. Interment in Woodlawn cemetery.
He helped dig the fourth grave in Salamonie township, and now he is the fourth person buried in the fourth cemetery at Warren. He never cast a ballot any where save in Salamonie township, and has never missed an election since the spring of 1842. The pioneers are dropping one by one.
His age was 74 years, 5 months and 21 days.
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