My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. SWISHER. The fine farm of this gentleman, situated on section 22, Silver Creek Township, Cass County, Mich., is an ornament to the township, and one of the best to be found in the county. William H. Swisher is a product of the Buckeye State, born in Preble County in 1847, and is a son of John T. and Millison (Elliott) Swisher.

John T. Swisher is a native of that grand old State, Virginia, as were also his parents, Solomon and Elizabeth (Bonar) Swisher. Our subject’s great-grandparents were natives of Germany, and came to America in Colonial days, or at a time antedating the Revolution. They were married in their native country, and after reaching the United States settled near Philadelphia, where they bought land. Later, they emigrated to Virginia and reared a family of eight children. The great-grandfather was killed in the Revolutionary War, his death occurring when our subject’s father was quite small.

Solomon Swisher served an apprenticeship at the tailor’s trade, and that was his principal occupation through life, although during the latter part of his days he was interested in agricultural pursuits. He married in Virginia the daughter of Jasper and Elizabeth Bonar. Mr. Bonar was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War. About the year 1827 Solomon Swisher and family emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, more on account of his son, John T., not wishing to live in a slave State, and there he became the owner of a fine farm. He served in the War of 1812, and was a brave and faithful soldier. The eight children born to his marriage were named in the order of their births, as follows; John T., Ruth, Hillery, Josiah, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Catherine and Solomon. Mr. Swisher held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife with the Presbyterian Church, and both were worthy and consistent members of their respective churches. He was a prominent man in his day, who always voted the old Whig ticket, and held many of the local offices in the township and county. Socially, he was a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. His death occurred in the Buckeye State.

John T. Swisher’s birth occurred in the year 1812, and he secured a limited education in the schools of his day. Being a great reader and student, all his spare time was spent with his books, and in that way he secured a good practical education. When eighteen years of age he began teaching, but followed this only a short time, and then went on a farm, where he received twenty-five cents per day. When about twenty-one years of age he went to Carroll County, Ind., and entered forty acres on the banks of the Wabash River. He never moved on this land, but purchased land near his father’s farm in Ohio. He was married in the last-named State to Miss Millison Elliott, daughter of John and Mary (Elliott) Elliott and a native of North Carolina, as were also her parents.

Nine children were the fruits of Mr. and Mrs. Swisher’s union, and they are named as follows: Harriet, Ann E., Mary, Sarah, William H. (our subject), Charlotte, Thomas, Solomon and John. Mr. Swisher became the owner of eighty acres in Ohio, and there remained until 1852, when the rich soil of Michigan tempted him to make a settlement within its border. He at one time owned about one thousand acres of land, but he has divided with his children and now has about three hundred acres. In his political views, Mr. Swisher has ever affiliated with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are highly honored citizens.

William H. Swisher was about five years of age when he came with his parents to Cass County, Mich. He was reared and educated in Silver Creek Township, that county, supplementing a common-school education by attending the schools of Ypsilanti, and when he had attained his majority his father gave him two hundred acres of land. This was partly improved and on it he has a good home at the present time. When twenty-two years of age he was married to Miss Emma Yund, a native of the Empire State. She came with her parents to Cass County, Mich., when young, and here grew to womanhood.

To our subject and wife have been born two children, Gertrude and Iva, both bright and interesting. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are worthy members of the Disciples Church, and he is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons at Dowagiac. In politics, he has ever been a Republican and has been quite a leader in his township. He was Supervisor of his township three terms and has also been Justice of the Peace, discharging the duties of both positions in a very capable manner. He has been dealing in stock to some extent, feeding and shipping, but the principal part of his time has been devoted to farming.