Biography - George Swan
GEORGE PERRY SWAN. As might naturally be expected, mention is made in the present work of many citizens of Montgomery County now prominent in their different callings, but none more so than the unusually successful agriculturist, George P. Swan, who possesses an excellent judgment and much good sense, on matters pertaining to the farm. In everything connected with the growth and prosperity of the county he has taken an active interest, and as a tiller of the soil he stands in the foremost ranks.
Born in Perry County, Mo., January 26, 1830, our subject is the son of Richard and Catherine (Barber) Swan, natives of Maryland and North Carolina respectively. The elder Mr. Swan moved to North Carolina when a young man, was married there, and in 1827 moved to Missouri. He located in Perry County, took up land from the Government, and remained there until his death, when sixty-two years of age. The grandfather, Charles Swan, was also born in Maryland and fought bravely in the Revolutionary War. It is supposed that the maternal grandfather, J. Barber, was a native of the old North State. The mother of our subject died on the home farm in Missouri when sixty-four years of age.
Thirteen children were born to this worthy couple, all but one growing to mature years. Twelve married and reared families, but all are now deceased except one daughter and two sons. George Perry Swan, the tenth in order of birth, passed his boyhood and youth in his native county, and supplemented an education received in the common schools by attending a select school. He remained on the home place and assisted his father in the arduous duties of the farm until the latter's death. He was married in Missouri, in 1855, to Miss Mary L. Villar, a native of Perry County, that State, where she was reared and educated.
Following his marriage, Mr. Swan located on the old homestead in Perry County, and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he moved to Montgomery County, Ill. He located on section 20, one-half mile from where he now resides, and in 1875 he built his present residence. He has a very attractive rural home and is a thrifty, industrious tiller of the soil. His land is naturally very productive, and he has spared no pains to make it more so, all his efforts being directed towards its improvement and development. He is an example of what may be accomplished when the spirit of determination is exercised in connection with the everyday affairs of life. His farming operations have resulted satisfactorily, and he is now in a position to enjoy all the conveniences and many of the luxuries of life.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Swan, five sons and five daughters, one of whom died in infancy. They are as follows: Joseph C., of Hillsboro; Frances L., deceased; Charles E., also of Hillsboro; Eddie, deceased; Mary C., wife of George Moore, of East Fork Township, this county; Martha A., wife of James Barringer, of Hillsboro; Emma C., wife of John Stephens, of East Fork Township; Nettie and Effie, at home. Mr. Swan is the owner of two hundred and ten acres of land and, in connection with tilling the soil, is engaged in stock-raising. In politics, he is a devoted Democrat and has held a number of township offices, being Road Commissioner and School Officer.
Extracted 12 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 479-480.
