He spent his early years on a farm in Audubon County. He was married January 1, 1902, to this union two children were born, Lynn Garland Swaney, Cedar Rapids and a daughter who died in infancy.

The family moved to Spirit Lake in 1913 from Manning where Mr. Swaney acquired the Spirit Lake Implement Company. He operated it in conjunction with the Swaney Land Company until 1946.

He served for several years on the Spirit Lake School Board and was also the mayor of Spirit Lake.

He was a member of both the Scottish Rite and York Rite Masons.

Funeral services were conducted Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Harpole Funeral Home by Rev. Robert C. Crocker, Methodist pastor. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. The Spirit Lake Masonic lodge performed the commit ceremony.

Two brothers, Wilson Swaney, Ft. Dodge, and Albert Swaney, Grand Junction, and two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Barger, Iowa City, and Mrs. Frank Stromsten, Iowa City, were in Spirit Lake for funeral services.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Pearle, who died January 15, 1943.

Among survivors are also two grandchildren, Robert L. Swaney, senior at Harvard University, and Sara Lynn Swaney at home in Cedar Rapids.
Spirit Lake Beacon, September 25, 1952

Former City Mayor Dies September 19
Death came Friday to David Leroy Swaney, 77, after an extended illness. Swaney had served as. the mayor of Spirit Lake for the two terms running from 1934 to 1938.

He came to Spirit Lake in 1913, and brought with him the Swaney Land Company which he later combined with the Spirit Lake Implement Company. He operated both until 1946. He also served on the Spirit Lake School Board.

Funeral services were held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Harpole Funeral Home, The Rev. Robert Crocker officiating. Committal services were conducted by the Twilight Lodge. Swaney was a member of both the Scottish and York rites. He was buried at Lakeview Cemetery. His wife preceded him in death January 1943.
Spirit Lake Beacon, September 25, 1952