DR. JAMES MANOAH SWETNAM
History of Arizona, 1896

The professional career of a skillful and devoted physician 
ever furnishes material of great interest to all readers and 
the life narrative of Dr. Swetnam is not exception to this 
general statement.

He is a native Kentuckian, born in Lawrence County, November 
11, 1841, son of James and Rebecca (Osborn) Swetnam and grandson 
of Neri Swetnam.  He received a fair education in the common 
schools and then went West at the time of the Pike's Peak gold 
excitement, driving an ox team from the Missouri River to the 
Rocky Mountains for $10 a month and being more than sixty days 
on the trip.  From there he drifted south through New Mexico 
and Arizona to Old Mexico and later became a citizen of Prescott, 
the first capital of Arizona, before a house was erected there.  
He was a resident of that section for nearly two years and 
participated in several battles with hostile Apaches.

Early in the year 1866 he returned to Denver, Colorado, making 
the journey of 1,000 miles on horseback with a single companion, 
400 miles of the distance being through a hostile Indian country.  
During the years 1866 and 1867 he attended school and then taught 
the public school in Colorado City, Colorado in 1867-68.  In 1867 
he commenced the study of medicine in Colorado City under Dr. 
Robert L. Garland; attended two full courses of lectures at the 
Department of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Michigan 
and was graduated March 30, 1870.  He also attended lectures at 
the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1871-72.  Dr. Swetman 
commenced practicing medicine at Louisa Kentucky in April 1870 
and continued there until October 1871, after which he located 
at Kirksville, Missouri where he remained from the spring of 
1872 to August 1882.  At the last named place he began the 
publication of the "Graphic" a weekly newspaper and a few 
months later the "Dailey Graphic" and in connection with John 
R. Musick, a literary paper called the "Home Treasure" at the 
same time attending to his medical practice.

In 1882 he disposed of his newspaper interests and removed to 
Omaha and was one of the chief movers in organizing the Douglas 
County Medical Society, filling the presidential chair during 
1883.  Dr. Swetnam is now a member of the Nebraska State Medical 
Society and the American Medical Assc.; a member of Apperson 
Lodge, No. 195, A.F. and A.M., Louisa Ky. and Union Pacific 
Council, No 1069, Royal Arcanum, Omaha, Neb.

The years 1887 and 1888 the doctor spent in travel in the United 
States, Canada and Mexico and in May 1889 again resumed the 
practice of medicine in Omaha.  From there he moved to Phoenix 
Arizona in November 1894 and is now engaged in the treatment of 
diseases of the chest and stomach as a special practice.

Dr. Swetnam was first married October 21, 1871 to Miss Laura P. 
Ferguson at Catlettsburg, Ky.  She died on consumption in 
February 1886 leaving one daughter, Nellie. His second union 
occurred October 21, 1877 with Mrs. Nellie E. Brockett at 
Augusta, Kansas who died in December 1879.  On the 27th of 
December 1887 the doctor married Mrs. Mae E. Black in Omaha 
and they have one child, Louise.

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