Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 495-497; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William G. Swartz. Among the goodly number of farmers of
Fulton County, who have won a competence from the productive soil and
have retired to enjoy the fruits of their industry, is the gentleman
above named. He has long been a prominent citizen of Young Hickory
Township, in which he has acted as Justice of the Peace for twenty-four
years. His fine farm consists of two hundred and forty acres on section
12, and with its beautiful groves, orchard, well-tilled fields and
comfortable buildings, is an attractive feature in the landscape. The
acreage has been devoted principally to raising corn and feeding cattle
and hogs, which Mr. Swartz has both raised and bought in considerable
numbers. The cattle are of high grade and some fine horses are also
bred on the place.
Mr. Swartz is of German ancestry in the paternal line and comes
of old Pennsylvania families. His grandfather Swartz was a farmer in
that State and his father, Henry Swartz, learned the trade of a tanner
and currier. He removed from his native county of Washington to
Pleasant Unity, Westmoreland County, where he successfully carried on a
tanyard and later engaged in farming. He was successful in worldly
affairs and a useful member of the community. At various times he
served as Assessor and Collector and was also a member of the Board of
County Commissioners for years. As Class-Leader in the Methodist
Episcopal Church he assisted in religious work for years.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret
Gardner, and was a native of Westmoreland County, Pa. Her father,
Christopher Gardner, was born in Adams County, but spent many years of
his life at Pleasant Unity. He was a miller and followed his trade and
farming. After the death of her husband Mrs. Swartz came West, bought a
farm in this locality and lived thereon until her death, in 1873. She
was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her children
are William G., of whom we write; Mrs. Caroline Phillippi, who lives in
Young Hickory Township; Mrs. Elizabeth Reamer, in Prairie City;
Catherine, who died in Galesburg in 1873; Mrs. Mary Phillippi, in
Hancock County; Mrs. Lucia Welty, in Young Hickory Township; John, of
London Mills; Christopher, who died in 1865; Henry, in London Mills;
Alexander, a civil engineer in California. John, Christopher and Henry
belonged to Company B, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, serving
their country from 1862 until the close of the war. Christopher was
wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge and died from the effects of
the wound soon after the war. John held the rank of First Lieutenant.
Our subject was born in Pleasant Unity, Pa., October 7, 1825.
When old enough to do so he learned the trade of a tanner and currier
and became a partner with his father. He did not like the business, the
work being too heavy for his health, which was not the best, and after
the connection had continued three years it was dissolved. The young
man then began teaching school, but this occupation proved no more
agreeable to him and in the spring of 1851 he came West. Reaching this
county and the home of his grandfather Gardner, he taught school one
summer, then returned to his native State, spent the winter and again
came to Illinois.
Mr. Swartz then bought eighty acres of the land he now owns,
which was devoid of any improvements except a log cabin. The new owner
taught a term, after which he gave his entire attention to the
improvement of his farm and its thorough cultivation. He has added to
his original acreage and placed the estate in the fine condition before
noted. The log house in which he first resided was replaced in 1859-60
by a brick dwelling, the material for which was made by himself.
The marriage of Mr. Swartz and Miss Elizabeth Welty took place
in the Keystone State, January 15, 1857. The bride was born in Pleasant
Unity and exhibited the sterling traits of character which won the
respect of those who knew her and are held in reverent remembrance by
her family. She entered into rest May 22, 1890. The family of Mr. and
Mrs. Swartz includes two living children and a son, John, who died when
sixteen years old. Anna V. is the wife of John B. Hagaman, their home
being in Fairview Township; Harry is married and lives in the old home
with his father.
Mr. Swartz filled the office of Supervisor one term. He is a
demitted member of the Masonic Lodge at Fairview, and has a letter from
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Midway, which is now extinct. He
belongs to the Democratic party, has frequently been a delegate to
county conventions and was Central Committeeman two years. His
fellow-men hold him in good repute as a man of honorable character,
intelligence and usefulness.
