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 768-769; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Isaac L. and Charles R. Swegle are gentlemen of high
standing in the community, and are much respected by all who know them.
Their parents, Isaac Daniel and Margaret Ann (Allegar) Swegle were
among the early pioneers of Fairview Township, having come to Illinois
in 1838, and owning a tract of land that embraced two hundred and
thirty acres. The father was born in New Jersey, as was also the
mother, and both removed with their parents to the State of Illinois at
an early age, and were here married. The father's death occurred May
25, 1890, at the age of sixty-two years and four months. Of their union
were born nine children, six of whom are living at the present writing.
viz: Daniel A., Isaac L., Sara F., Charles R., Abram D., and Jacob E.
Daniel A. resides in London Mills, and is in the grain, stock and
lumber business; he married Miss Miranda Hart, and to them have been
born two children, viz: Burton B., and Ada Mabel. Sarah F. married John
Schleich, a farmer of Deerfield Township, and they have one child,
Raymond Lester; Charles R. is single and lives at home; Abram D. is
agent at Cramer, Ill., on the Iowa Central Railroad; Jacob E. lives at
home; Two children died in infancy, and Franklin M. died in 1886, at
the age of twenty-nine years. Charles and Jacob have charge of the
Swegle farm. The estate has not been divided and the heirs wish to run
to together as long as possible.
Isaac Lemuel was born on the 30th of May, 1858, on the Swegle
homestead, and after receiving a common-school education, he entered
the Gem City Business College in January, 1886, and there completed a
full business course, graduating from that institution December 15,
1886. He then went to Charleston, Coles County, where he engaged in the
abstract, real estate, and insurance business, entering into
partnership with George C. Mathers. He remained in the business eight
months, and at the end of that time returned to Fairview in order to
fill an office to which he had been appointed under President
Cleveland. This office he held a little more than two years, and was
then elected Collector of the township, collecting taxes due for 1889
and 1890, beginning his work January 1, 1890.
During the last illness of his father, our subject was very
faithful in his attendance, and has since the sad event of his father s
death given much attention to the management of the estate. His mother
is still living in her fifty-eighth year. Mr. Swegle is a member of the
Democratic party. The great-grandfather came from Germany and settled
in the State of New Jersey. Grandfather Swegle served as a training
officer in a military company there [New Jersey], and was known as
Capt. Swegle. The maternal grandfather, James Allegar, was born in the
State of New Jersey, and was a very successful brewer and distiller. He
married Miss Ann Apgar, a native of New Jersey, and of this union were
born three children, viz: Margaret A., Mary E., and Franklin L. James
Allegar was married previously to his union with Miss Apgar, and of the
first union were born eight children, all of whom are now deceased.
Charles R. Swegle was born December 16, 1862, at the old
homestead, and grew to manhood in Fairview Township, on the farm. He
has had charge of the estate for the past four years in company with
his brother Jacob. They raise a high grade of cattle for the market,
and have been very successful in their agricultural pursuits. Our
subject is a most enterprising and energetic young man; he is a member
of the I. O. O. F. Fairview Lodge No. 120, and at present Conductor. He
is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics his
sympathy and support are always given to the Democratic party.
Also submitted by Karen Holt
