All the antecedents of Mr. Swartz were Pennsylvanans, and of German descent. His father was Michael Swartz, who was born in Centre County, Pa., on the 21st of July, 1821. He was the son of George Swartz, who with the grandfather also, were natives of Pennsylvania. The father and all his people before him were farmers. He lived with his parents until he arrived at the age of maturity, when he was married to Sarah Musser, a native of Pennsylvania, whose family were farmers. A few years after his marriage he bought a farm, which he cultivated. For many years he served as a magistrate, and during that time he acted as executor and administrator of many estates.
He spent the last days of his life in Centre County, Pa., and died at the age of eighty-two. He had nine children, six of whom are yet living, and of whom the father of the subject of this sketch was the oldest. He lived with his parents until 1844, assisting his father on the farm and attending a subscription school, at which he received a more than average education. In 1844 he married Hettie Mench, daughter of Abraham Mench, of Pennsylvania. She was born in 1817, and was the seventh child of a family of ten. Her parents were farmers, as were all their relatives, so far as known, and they died in Pennsylvania. One of her brothers was eighty-eight years of age when he died. The families of both were remarkable for their longevity. After marriage he rented his father's farm, which he tilled for four years, and then lived apart from his father for six years, He then went on a prospecting tour to the West to look over the country with a view of finding a location, and came to Stephenson County, Ill., where he purchased a farm. The following year he went back to Pennsylvania for his wife, and returned to his farm where he has lived ever since, except eight years spent in retirement at Orangeville. He now rents his farm to his son David. Mr. Swartz has four children living and two dead, as follows: Philip, at Rock Grove, who is married and is a storekeeper; Sarah J. died at the age of twenty-five; Hannah M. is married to Mr. L. Burger, and lives in Lee County, Ill.; David M. is married and occupies the old homestead; his wife was Miss Amelia Philby, a native of Stephenson County. Susan L., married to J. W. Lambert, lives in Iowa; Martin L. died at the age of twenty-six.
Mr. Swartz is a Democrat in politics, and has filled several local offices, including those of Assessor and School Director. The Michael Swartz landed estate consists of 100 acres in the home farm, eighty acres two and a half miles east, and nineteen acres of timber land across the line in Wisconsin. Mr. Swartz paid cash for his farm, and the splendid buildings located thereon were put up by him, and paid for with the money earned on the farm.
David M. Swartz, son of Michael, was born in Centre County, Pa., on the 12th of February, 1853, and was married on the 15th of February, 1874, to Miss Amelia Philby, daughter of Emanuel Philby, who came from Pennsylvania. Her father was engaged in distilling and milling. Her mother is living with W. F. Swartz, a son-in-law. Mrs. Swartz was born in November, 1859. David M. Swartz occupies the old family homestead, where he will probably remain. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 pg. 651
