Martin Van Buren Swearingen Passed Away at His Home Wednesday of Last Week.

Mr. M. V. Swearingen was born in Fayette Co., Pa., on Feb. 14, 1836. In the spring of '53 when he was 17 years old, he removed to Holmes Co., Ohio, At 18 he became a carpenter's apprentice and worked at that trade for several years; but most of his years have been spent in farming. When he was 25 years old he married Delilah Ramage at Wooster, Ohio. Two years later they came to Whiteside Co., Illinois and in 1879, just 30 years ago, they came to Carroll County Iowa. Mrs. Swearingen died four years ago and now her husband has followed her. Two of their children are dead and nine survive them. All but one of those living were in attendance: John came from Oklahoma, Samuel from Texas, Mrs. Wilson from Marshalltown, Mrs. Scheiber from Lake Benton, Minn., Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. Hays, Mrs. Adolph Grundmeier and Mr. T. A. Swearingen have their home here. The only child absent was Elmer, who visited his father a few weeks ago. His home is in Montana.

The brother of the deceased, Rev. O.M. Swearingen, of Strawberry Point, was present also his daughter, Mrs. Barker, of Hopkinton. Twenty-eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren and a host of friends will cherish the memory of this kind and honorable man. The presence of these sons and daughters testifies of their love for their father. Those who have been lifelong associates say he never did a mean or dishonorable thing. His promise was to be relied upon. If his neighbor needed help, he considered his neighbor's interest even before his own. He had no enemies.

Mr. Swearingen and his generation have done a work that will never again he done in this community. In the prime of his manhood he came to these great rolling prairies when there were no groves to obstruct the view and the beautiful hills, that stretched away as far as the eye could see, seemed like the swells of the ocean after a storm. A few small houses were the homes of the people, rude sheds protected the horses and cattle and the tall blue stem grass sheltered the rattlesnake. The people were strong and industrious but very poor. Today we see a different landscape. Every quarter section has on it a comfortable home surrounded by a beautiful grove, and is supplied with the conveniences of up-to-date farming. Our community is filled with the evidences of prosperity and wealth. This material progress, we are so proud of, is largely due to the foresight, economy and patient toil of the generation of which Mr. Swearingen was a worthy member. As these aged men pass from our midst we should remember with gratitude the service they have done for us.

The funeral services of Mr. Swearingen were held from the Presbyterian church at 2 o'clock last Sunday afternoon, Rev. Forest A. Heizer, Pastor, assisted by Rev. Jones, of the Christian church, officiated. Several hundred friends and relatives of the deceased were at the church and followed the hearse to the cemetery. Many beautiful flowers covered the casket.

We, John Swearingen, Sam Swearingen, Ai Swearingen, Elmer Swearingen, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Hays, Mrs. Scheiber, Mrs. Grundmeier and Mrs. Carlisle, the children, sincerely extend our thanks to the kind neighbors and friends for their assistance in helping to care for our dear father in his sickness and death. May the Lord bless you.

Martin Swearingen is buried in the Manning City Cemetery
Section A Row #35 north - south