My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SWONGER. As a pioneer of Clark County, and one who by his well-directed labors has promoted its agricultural development, it gives us pleasure to represent this gentleman, a resident of Springfield for more than half a century, in this Biographical Album. Born April 15, 1818, the birthplace of our subject was in Cumberland Couuty, Pa. His father, Michael Swonger, was a native of the same State, born in Lancaster County. His father bore the same name as himself, and but little else is known of his history, except that he was a farmer, who carried on his vocation for sometime in Lancaster County, and thence removed to Cumberland County, where he died and was gathered to his fathers.

The father of our subject was young when his parents removed to Cumberland Couuty to live, and there he was reared and married, Mary Alburt, a native of the county becoming his wife. He always followed farming, and spent the most of his life in Cumberland County, where he closed his useful career at a ripe age. The mother of our subject lived in her native county until she was advanced in years, and then came to Ohio and passed the remainder of her life in the home of a daughter in Logan County.

He of whom we write was quite young when his father departed this life, and he was obliged to earn his own living from a very early age. From the time he was eight years old until he was fourteen, he was given $1 a month and his board for his services, and in those days boys worked from daylight until dark in the long days of the year. After he was fourteen his wages were advanced until he earned $7 a month. He continued to work out by the month for some years, and in the meantime he married and established a home, his wedding with Miss Mary A. Stayman taking place in January. 1838. Mrs. Swonger’s father, Joseph Stayman, was born near Carlisle, Pa., and his father, bearing the same name, was, so far as known, a life-long resident of that State, where he carried on the occupation of a farmer. Mrs. Swonger’s father learned the trades of a miller and distiller, and after coming to Ohio, operated a flourmill west of town for a time, and then removed into Springfield, and opened a hotel on Main Street, between Limestone and Market Streets. He managed his hotel a few years and then took up his residence in Clermont County, where he engaged in farming until his busy life was rounded out by death. The maiden name of his wife was Barbara Myers, and she was born near Carlisle, Pa., a daughter of a United Brethren preacher. She spent her last days with her daughters in Springfield and Wooster, and died while a resident of the latter city. Mr. and Mrs. Swonger’s marriage has given them eight children — Joseph, William, Emma, Anna, John W., Chrissie, Eddie and Susan. Joseph married Hattie Pennell; William married Margaret Walters; John died when quite young; Chrissie married Henry Fenstermacher; Susan died in infancy; Anna became the wife of R. C. Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Swonger have ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren living.

In 1838, our subject, who had been prudent and had labored hard, and had carefully saved his earnings, determined to try life in a pioneer country in the hope of bettering his condition, and in the month of November he started with his wife and their first-born, and his wife’s parents, for Ohio, making the journey with a wagon and a pair of horses and a carriage with one horse attached. After traveling fifteen days they arrived in Clark County, and from their remembrance of the country as it then appeared, they can have a just appreciation of the marvelous changes that have occurred to make Springfield, then a village, a large and flourishing city, the metropolis of a wealthy and finely developed county. Our subject at first rented land in the southern part of the county for a few years, and then bought the land that he now owns and occupies. At the time of purchase it was heavily timbered, and though only one mile from the center of the village, wild turkeys and other game was to be found on it. Since then Springfield has spread out until the boundary lines extend far beyond his homestead, which is now in the centre of a densely populated community. By his practical skill as an intelligent agriculturist, backed by incessant toil, he cleared his land and developed a desirable, well-improved farm, which has become very valuable with the rapid growth of the city. Here he and his wife who have lived together more than half a century, are passing the declining years of their virtuous and well-spent lives in a comfortable home, enjoying the competence that is the result of their united labors. Their quiet beneficence and unostentatious charity, neighborly helpfulness, and other pleasant traits have gained them a warm place in the hearts of all about them, and they command universal respect from the community where they have lived so long. They are both devoted members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined when quite young, and have always been consistent in their professions of religion.