Mrs. C.M. Swygart who resides in a pleasant home on Madison Avenue and First Street, in Dixon, also owns a good farm three miles north of the city. It consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land and was formerly the homestead of her father, John Moyer, who purchased the property over fifteen years ago. He placed good improvements on the place and later purchased another farm in a different part of the county.

Mr. Moyer was a native of Berks County, Pa. His father, a German who emigrated to this country in Colonial days, was a valiant soldier throughout the Revolutionary War and spent his last years in the Keystone State, where he died at a good old age. He was employed during his life in operating iron furnaces in which he was very successful and accumulated a large property. He was a widower when he came to this country, bringing with him two sons. He was married a second time in Pennsylvania to a lady who was a native of that State and who there died at the age of ninety-five years. They were both members of the Lutheran Church. Their son John also became an iron manufacturer and on his father's death succeeded him in business in which he became rich. Some years after his marriage, he sold out his interest in Pennsylvania and came to Illinois, where he purchased a farm in Lee County which he carried on extensively and was as successful in this calling as in his former occupation. He died in this county in 1884, at the age of eighty-seven years, retaining his mental and physical strength up to the day of his death. He was a prominent and influential man in the community and highly esteemed as a good citizen. His business was conducted on the strictest principles and in the most honorable and upright manner. He was a sound Republican in politics and had been given all the local offices of the township. He was one of the four original founders of the Lutheran Church in this place and gave liberally to the cause. his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Trout, was born and reared in Berks County, Pa., where she was married. Her father was an Englishman, who was married* after coming to the United States to a lady of Pennsylvania birth. He was a prominent business man and both he and his wife were highly esteemed in the community in which they lived. They were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church.

The mother of our subject, who was the first wife of John Moyer, died in Pennsylvania, while in the prime of life. She left but one daughter, Mrs. Swygart. John Moyer was married a second time to Mrs. Elizabeth Cleaver, nee Yudder, a native of Pennsylvania and who died in this county some years ago, full of years. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Swygart was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and is a woman of good education, excellent business qualities and fine executive ability. She is the mother of eight children. William H. married a lady in New Mexico, who lived but a short time afterward; he is general agent for the Sante Fe Railroad at Lake Valley, N.M; John who married Miss Hattie Holland, is an engineer on the Wabash Railroad and resides in Decatur, this State. George W. lives in California where he was married. Edward resides in Chicago and married Miss Anna Bradford. Clementine is at home with her mother and is a highly educated and refined young lady. Lilla is also at home. Ella, who is the wife of Frank Willard is at present in California. Eva, who resides at home, is an artist and gives lessons in painting. Mrs. Swygart and her daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church. The family is well known and highly esteemed in the city were they reside.

Portraits and Biographical Lee County IL