Merced County CA Archives Biographies.....Sward, A. W. 1869 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 13, 2006, 4:34 am

Author: John Outcalt (1925)

A. W. SWARD

   A name that is worthy to be enrolled among the pioneers of the Hilmar Colony
in Merced County is that of A. W. Sward, an enterprising and persevering citizen
of whom any community might well be proud. He owns a ranch of forty acres
one-half a mile south of Irwin at the corner of Lander and Williams Avenues, all
well-improved and productive. He was born in Ostrejotland, Sweden, on March 11,
1869, was educated in the schools of his native country and when he was eighteen
he took passage on a White Star Line steamer for America and arrived at Castle
Garden, N. Y., in December, 1886. His destination was Axtell, Nebr., where a
brother had already located, and as soon as he arrived there he found employment
at farm work, continuing for two years as a wage earner there. Wanting to see
something of the country he traveled to Kearney and to Omaha, both in Nebraska,
where he found employment to his liking, remaining in the latter place until
1902, when he had saved enough money to come to California. Soon after his
arrival in the month of May, he bargained for forty acres in the Hilmar Colony,
which was then a worn-out wheat field, and he set to work to make his property a
good investment. How well he has succeeded is demonstrated by the well-kept and
productive ranch he owns today.

   In 1902 he was married at Omaha, Nebr., to Miss Anna Swenson, who had come to
America from Sweden in 1894. This couple arrived in Hilmar Colony on June 10,
1903, settled on his ranch, which he had purchased through the representations
of N. O. Hultberg and A. Hallner, promotors of the colony. They began making
improvements and in order to have water for their use they had to carry it from
the well of C. A. Lundell three quarters of a mile away. This continued until he
had sunk his own well, securing water for all needs at a depth of forty-one and
one half feet. He also built his home and outbuildings. This worthy couple have
had eight children, viz.: Emma, who died at the age of sixteen and one half
years; Albert, a graduate of the Hilmar High School, class of 1923; Hilda, a
pupil in the Hilmar High School, class of 1925; Leonard, also in the high
school; and Esther, Wallace, Edith and Martin, pupils of the grammar school. Mr.
Sward received his citizenship papers at Omaha, Nebr., in 1903, and exercises
his right of franchise by supporting men and measures he considers best for the
greatest number. Mr. and Mrs. Sward helped organize the South Elim school
district and are in favor of the best obtainable for the children to get their
start in life.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925


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