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 874 & 877; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Mathias B. Swegle. It is not ease but effort that makes the
noblest men. There is, perhaps, no station in life where difficulties
do not have to be encountered and obstacles overcome, and not until
these obstacles are overcome is the nobility of the character proved.
The native-born citizens of Fulton County, who have now reached the
prime of life had, in youth, many obstacles to vanquish, for the land
was uncultivated and the surrounding country bleak and inhospitable.
With every passing year the standard of civilization has been raised,
and through the efforts of the sturdy pioneers the county has attained
a proud position among others in the State of Illinois.
The birth of our subject occurred August 31, 1842, in Fairview
Township, Fulton County, Ill. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Thorp)
Swegle, were natives of New Jersey, the former learning the charcoal
trade, and being a farmer in his native State, The paternal grandfather
was born in Germany and the maternal relatives also came from the
Fatherland. The father removed from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, where,
for four years, he following his trade and whence, in 1834, he removed
to Illinois, locating in Fulton County. After living for a time with a
brother, he purchased eighty acres of fine farming land in Fairview
Township. He and his wife had a family of seven children, names: Isaac
D., Mary A., John W., Hester R., Sarah A., Mathias B. and Jacob G.
He of whom we write was reared to man s estate in Fulton County,
attending the district schools and learning the many duties belonging
to farm life. When ready to establish home ties of his own, he was
married January 1, 1873, to Miss Mary C. Gunnett, daughter of George
and Isabellea (McFarland) Gunnett, natives respectively of Allegheny
County, and Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. Gunnett and his wife were united in
marriage in Fulton County, and afterward located in Fairview Township,
where he purchased a farm of eighty-one and one-half acres and followed
the trade of a carpenter. He died in 1867 at the early age of
forty-five years; his wife survived him and is still living in Fairview
at the age of sixty-six years. The record of their seven children is as
follows: Samuel M., Mary C., Sarah J., Andrew J., Mary C. (Mrs. Swegle)
who was born in Fairview Township, George and Joseph.
After their marriage our subject and his estimable wife settled
on the Swegle homestead, where they have continued to reside up to the
present. He is a member of the Round Top Grange, which was organized in
1863 and afterward revised. He also belongs to the Fairview A. F. &
A.M. lodge, No. 350, and has served as Worshipful Master for three
terms. He is identified with the Eastern Star, No. 99, and to this his
wife also belongs. In fact, she was instrumental in its organization
and has been its Worthy Matron since its organization in November,
1886, until the present time, 1890. In his political convictions Mr.
Swegle is a Democrat and is much interested in both local and national
politics. He and his wife enjoy the distinction of being the first
couple in Fairview Township, who were natives thereof.
Not only is Mr. Swegle interested in farming, but he has also
devoted special attention to , and is at this time, 1890, the owner of
some valuable stock, making a specialty of the breeding of Durham
cattle and Percheron horses. He comes of a pioneer family, his uncle,
Mathias Swegle, being the first white settler in this township and one
of the first in Fulton County, having come here in 1829. He figured in
the Black Hawk War, and served as the first Justice of the Peace here.
By trade he is a blacksmith and a very popular and fine looking
gentleman.
The pleasant residence in which Mr. and Mrs. Swegle Entertain their friends, is represented by a view on another page.
Also submitted by Karen Holt
