George Washington Swailes Hon. George W. Swailes is a man of affairs, and one who has wielded a wide influence, his opinions doing much to mold public thought and action. In all of his public work he is actuated by a spirit of direct and immediate serviceableness and his labors in behalf of his town and county have been far-reaching and beneficial. He was born in Crawford County. Pennsylvania, on the 19th of July, 1835, a son of Robert and Catherine (Corbett) Swailes, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the father hav'ing been born in Mercer county. His death occurred in May, 1845, and in July of the same year Mrs. Swailes came to the middle west with her children, settling in Kane county. Illinois. She became a resident of Burlington township, where she married Fletcher Orvis, and there she made her home until her death, which occurred in 1857. George W. Swailes acquired his education in the public schools of Kane county. Illinois, and in 1856. when a 3'oung man of twenty-one years, came to Henry county. Iowa, where he entered the employ of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as a builder of bridges. Engaged in railroad work he was at different times in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, and when his labors had brought him sufficient capital to en- able him to invest in property, in the fall of 1868. he purchased eighty acres of land on section 25, Trenton township, which was unimproved. A year later he sold that property and returned to Rome, Iowa, where he was employed by the railroad in getting out ties and piles, following the business until 1894. In the meantime, in 1875. he had again purchased the farm which he originally owned. He conducted a general store in Rome for about seven years while he was in the railroad employ. To his original farm property he added from time to time until he became the owner of about eleven hundred acres of valuable land on sections 27, 28, 29 and 33. Trenton township, but at different times he has sold portions of this, retaining possession of about seven hundred acres, much of which is on section 28. He removed to his farm on the ninth of September, 1885, and continued its cultivation and operation until 1902, when he rented the place. His life has been one of untiring activity crowned with success. Starting out in life on his own account when a young man he has depended entirely upon his labors and business capacity for the prosperity he has achieved. He is quick to recognize and utilize a favorable business situation and his perseverance has enabled him to surmount many difficulties and obstacles. On the first of March, 1864, Mr. Swailes was married to Miss Nancy Dougherty, who was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1840. Her parents came to Henry county in 1845 she attended the common schools. She is a daughter of William W. and Nancy (Harrison) Dougherty, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born in Allegheny county. Mr. and Mrs. Swailes have four children: Catherine, the wife of George Basham, a resident of Burlington, Iowa; Robert, a mailman living in Rome; James, who makes his home in Trenton township; and Frank, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Rome. Mr. Swailes is recognized as one of the stalwart representatives of democracy in Henry county. He is a leader in the party and his opinions have carried weight in its councils. He has been chosen to various local offices, serving as township trustee and also as mayor of Rome and in 1903 he was called upon to serve as the standard bearer of his party, becoming democratic nominee for the state legislature, but being a strong republican district, he failed of election, although he ran ahead of his ticket, being thirty-five ahead of his ticket in the village of Rome, getting all but thirteen votes, which speaks eloquently for his personal popularity. He has also been nominated for the office of county supervisor. His fellow townsmen find in him a reliable citizen, devoted to the general good. Fraternally he is a Mason, having taken the degrees of the lodge and chapter. A half century has passed since he first came to Iowa, and in that period he has contributed to the commercial, industrial and agricultural development of his part of the county. At all times he stands for progress, reform and improvement and even those who differ from him politically recognize his genuine personal worth. Above extracted from http://www.archive.org/details/biographicalrevihc00hoba/ark:/13960/t4bp04575 from public domain documents. The following is family lore as G. W. Swailes is/was my great-great grandfather. According to family legend, G. W. Swailes was working on the railroad in Louisiana when the Civil War broke out. He was forced to join the Confederate Army by being told to "join or hang". He signed up but then quickly returned to Iowa. Never raising a weapon against the Union Army. When G. W. Swailes donated a large parcel of land for a cemetery, it was not to be named after him as he was considered a confederate.  Any questions, information, or additions are more than welcome. Please email me directly at genealogytrailsaz@gmail.com.   ©2009 Genealogy Trails