Numbered among the early settlers and prosperous farmers of Macoupin
county is John M. Swift, whose residence in this county covers a period
of nearly sixty years. He was born in Tennessee on the 13th of May,
1836, being a son of James M. and Sarah (Hodge) Swift, who were natives
of the same state. They came to Illinois in 1838, locating in Marion
county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his
demise. Mr. and Mrs. Swift were the parents of six children, of whom our
subject is the eldest, the others being as follows: Mary Jane and Martha
Ann, both of whom are deceased; Letitia, the wife of George Jenkins, of
Macoupin county; William, who is deceased; and Ellen, the wife of Sam
England, of Macoupin county. Mr. James M. Swift passed away and his
widow subsequently married Edward Adcock and removed to Macoupin county,
where she reared her family.
John M. Swift, who left his native
state when a child of two years, obtained his education in the common
schools of Marion county, Illinois, whence he came to Macoupin county at
the age of eighteen years. He remained on the farm of his stepfather
until he was twenty-one years old, and then took v position in a
sawmill, but after operating the mill for twelve years, he again
returned to agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E of
the One Hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry under the
command of Col. Rinaker and went to the front. He was wounded in the
battle at Parker’s Cross Roads in Tennessee and taken prisoner, but
managed to effect his escape the same night. After the close of
hostilities he purchased one hundred and twenty-one acres of land on
section 29, North Otter township, this county, where he has ever since
continuously lived. He has made all of the improvements upon this place,
which is now one of the very valuable farms of the community.
Mr. Swift’s plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his
marriage to Miss Susanna Williams in 1858, and to them four children
were born: Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Job Price; Annie, the wife of
George Richards; and James W., all residents of this county. John, the
youngest member of the family is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Swift
have always given their allegiance to the Baptist church, while his
political support he has accorded the men and measures of the democratic
party, since age conferred upon him the right of suffrage. He is one of
the practical and substantial citizens of his township toward the
development and progress of which he has contributed his quota, ever
having taken an active interest in promoting the welfare of the
community.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 420-421.
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