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 OCKARD SWISHER, the owner of a fine estate containing 190 acres of valuable land, located on section 21, (11, 9), Button Township, is an honorable representative of one of the pioneer families of this county. He was born July 29, 1833, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wood) Swisher. His paternal grandparents were natives of Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio at an early day, where they were among the pioneers of Franklin County. Samuel Swisher was born in Maryland, and accompanied the family to Ohio, remaining with his parents until his marriage. The educational advantages offered by Ohio were at that time very limited, but Samuel attended the district school during the winter, and assisted his father on the farm in the summer, acquiring some practical experience in the various branches of agriculture, and a moderate amount of book-learning, as it was dispensed in the early days. After his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wood, who was a native of Franklin County, he engaged in farming for himself on the estate inherited by his wife. Their happy home there was soon darkened by the death of his wife. Her health began to fail soon after the birth of their only child, Lockard, and she died in the following February, 1834. In 1835, Samuel Swisher married Mrs. Hester (Fleming) Campbell, and in the spring of 1838 removed with his family to Edgar County, Ill. He remained there until autumn, and after looking about the country, changed his location to Hutton Township, this county, and entered eighty acres of timber land on section 12, on the banks of the Embarras River. He cleared and improved his land, and was very successful in business. The arduous task of settling in a new country, and the many privations of a pioneer’s life, wore upon his health, and he died June 10. 1849, at the age of fifty-five years. His widow survived him several years, and died in the spring of 1858, on the homestead, leaving two children Martha and Jane, twins, born Aug. 16, 1837, in Franklin County, Ohio. Martha is the wife of Henry Freezener, and lives in Iowa; Jane is the wife of John A. Patterson, and lives in Edgar County, Ill. Lockard Swisher was only sixteen years of age when his father died, and he remained on the homestead with his widowed mother until he was twenty, assisting her in carrying on the farm. He was a bright and intelligent boy, but could obtain only a very limited education at the common schools. Possessing an enterprising disposition, he joined a company composed of eleven of his neighbors, who had planned an overland expedition to California by ox-teams. It was a difficult and perilous journey to undertake at that early day, but they started out full of hope and courage, April 4, 1854, and after a toilsome and adventurous pilgrimage, arrived safely at Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal., Sept. 27, 1854. He found employment there in the gold mines at $50 and $60 per month, and remained until June 5, 1858, returning via the Isthmus and New York. The death of his stepmother occurred that spring, and he inherited the homestead, where on his return he engaged in farming, and purchased ninety additional acres. November 25, 1860, Mr. Swisher was married to Miss Louisa Allen. Mrs. Swisher was the daughter of Jackson and Catherine Allen, and was born Feb. 2, 1840. Her parents were natives of South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher had a family of eight children born to them: Martha Jane died in infancy; Mary C., the wife of Albert Bidle; Laura A. died at the age of sixteen; Phebe E., John E., Henry M., Polly V. and Charles C. all reside on the homestead. After twenty years of happy married life, Mrs. Swisher was taken from her beloved family by death, Dec. 2, 1880. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, and her death was deeply mourned by her family and a large circle of sympathizing friends. Sept. 3. 1883, Mr. Swisher was married to his second wife, Mrs. Mary (Woodruff) Scott, the widow of John Scott. In the autumn of 1884, Mr. Swisher exchanged farms with Mr. M. A. Walker. The estate he now owns contains 190 acres of land, all of which is well-improved, and supplied with a substantial brick residence and commodious barn. With his wife he is a member of the Christian Church. He is interested in educational affairs, and has been School Director for nine years. In politics, he is a Republican. |
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