Notes for Solomon Gladden Young Swigart

Notes for Solomon Gladden Young Swigart

!US Census 1860 (21 July) Indiana, Noble Co., Green Township, Meriam PO, Sheet 60, House No. 402, Lines 8-14: Solomon G. Swigart (b. 1827 - 33 - in OH - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $2400 + $2500) married to Elizabeth (b. 1832 - 28 - in OH). Children listed are: John T. (son b. 1852 - 8 - in OH); George W. (son b. 1854 - 6 - in IN); Winfield L. (son b. 1856 - 4 - in IN); Adaline O. (dau b. 1857 - 3 - in IN); and Martha A. (dau b. Sept 1859 - 10/12 - in IN)

!Autobiography of Solomon Gladden Swigart, 1826 -3 May1900, Ravenna, Nebraska. Original papers and Solomon Swigart's family Bible (with his children's birth and marriage records) are as of 1976, in the possession of Olive Swigart's granddaughter, Mrs. Paul (June) Newton of Emmet, Nebraska, 68734. Note of Solomon's grandson Frank M. Swigart 1914-1993
My Autobiography -
"I was born in Monroe Township, Richland County, Ohio, 26th of June 1826. My father was a farmer and had a water saw mill and as I was a delicate lad I was nearly always with my father especially when on the mill. I was always tinkering at something with tools so I grew up to like tools and did not take much to farming. At 20 I was handy with tools and went to work at the carpenter trade. Worked at $8.00 per month. Repaired saw mills.
Was married to Elizabeth Miller on March 7th, 1850. Moved on a farm but worked at the trade. Moved to Indiana and settled on a farm in Green Township, Noble County. Built a steam saw mill in 1855. In 1859 I found I must loose all my property. I managed to sell off my property and paid all my obligations without ever having to be sued for debt. Worked the mill for the man I sold to until 1864. Without anything but household goods and a large family, I moved 12 miles south in Whitley County on land I bought of a brother on his grace. All in thick woods. Seen hard times then but sold in the spring of 1871. With 15 hundred dollars, I moved to Jasper County Iowa. Settled on Sec.24 Newton Township but broke entirely up and moved to Sec 28, township 12, range 15 Buffalo County Nebraska in 1880.
Politically I am a democrat. Opposed to monopolies of all kinds. Thought slavery, protective tariff, national banking systems, and license to sell liquors, created by law monopolies dangerous to the well being to society and injurious to republican institutions. Joined the grange in 1873 and remain a firm granger.
Was in favor of Henry Clays plan of emancipation of slaves, Was favorable to Lincoln's plan and indorsed it. Was opposed to the war to subjection and destruction of States and oppose the way of reconstruction. Oppose Grantism totally. Became a strong democrat at Tilldens election and remain a strong democrat except perhaps on the liquor & national bank questions.
Religiously, I was brought up a Lutheran but at a mature age I discarded all denominations on the account of creeds. Thought Paul wrote creed sufficient and as followers of Christ was first called Christians at Antioc. That being appropriate they should have no other creed. And as Paul addressed his letters to the church of God, the church should have no other name and nothing but Christian deportment should be essential to fellowship and such are heirs jointly with Jesus Christ to heaven and eternal glory. An have insesently talked for Christian unity. Believe in the lord's supper immediately after the ordinary supper. Believe in the unity of the Godhead. Believe in the punishment of the wicked after death, but none of those things should be made a test of fellowship in the church. And as I was asked to subscribe to the faith made by man, I never attached myself to any denomination.
S.G. Swigart

!Written for Solomon and Elizabeth's Wedding Anniversary on March 7, 1900 by John Young Mason Swigart. It was published in a local newspaper.
Golden Wedding
The Editor has heard of golden weddings all his life but, until the 7th of this month, never attended one.
Our father and mother, on that date, celebrated their fiftieth anniversary, near Hazad, Neb. Six brothers and on one sister were present. Two sisters were not able to attend.
Your humble servant is the oldest of the family, being 48 this month.
The baby, A. M., now in the 15th Infantry Regulars, located at Fort Columbus, New York, 27 years old.
George W., of Newton, Iowa;
W.L. of DesMoines, Iowa;
Denny C. of Sheldon, Nebr.;
M.F. of Hazad, Nebr.; and
Adeline Gaither, of Mufford, Nebr.; were the children present.
Martha Pry, of Litchfield, and
Mary Stocker, of Sothern Cal., could not be present.
Other relatives present were T. S. Gaither, of Tuffard, Jessie Crosley, of Central City, Lydia Miller, of Montrose, Kan., and Frank Swigart, of Beatrice, Nebr., beside neighbors and friends, and children and grandchildren galore.
Barring the fact that the two sisters could not be with us, we had three days of complete enjoyment; an occasion that will be remembered while life lasts, by all who were present.
Father is 74 years of age, and mother is 6 years younger. They are in fairly good health for peope of their age. They were born, raised and married near Mansfield, Ohio. In 1852, they moved to the wild woods of northern Indiana, at that time in the far west; in 71 they moved to central Iowa: In 80 to central Nebraska.
Of eleven children, one died in infancy, and one died last Dec. at the age of 30. The family are generally robust and healthy.
Father and mother were the recipients of some valuable presents, which they will put to use every day in fond recollection of their long to be remembered anniversary.
At this writing, all have gone home, except the soldier brother who is on a sixty days furlough, and will return to New York about the first of May.
The ever present kodak played a good part in the entertainments, and the front door yard, with its animated contents will be reproduced and sent to many who could not be present.
It is not often that an editor or secretary of an insurance company has the privilege of a weeks' vacation, but we did, and to say that we enjoyed it, is mildly stating the case.
Of course we hope again and again to meet, but the probabilities are that we will not meet on this side of the river.
John Young Mason Swigart