Yolo-Sacramento-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Swingle, George H. 1826 - 1895
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 22, 2006, 10:30 pm

Author: Tom Gregory (1913)

GEORGE H. SWINGLE

    It would be impossible to overestimate the value to Yolo county of the
indefatigable labors of the sturdy pioneers of the '50s. Many of that rugged
throng of home-seekers have rested from their labors, but their works do follow
them, and they are remembered with affectionate reverence as important
contributors to the permanent prosperity of the region. Not the least among
these men was George H. Swingle, who for a long period of successful activity
identified himself with the ranching interests of the county and also
contributed his quota to the public service. The lapse of time since his demise
has not dimmed his memory in the hearts of family and friends, nor has it
lessened the appreciation of his pioneer labors for the upbuilding of the
community. His the task, with other early settlers, of laying the foundations
broad and deep and strong, so that future generations might labor with every
hope of success. His the labor of turning the first furrows in the virgin soil
and transforming a barren waste into a productive ranch, and the work which he
started with such commendable industry has been prosecuted sagaciously by the
inheritors of the estate.

    Descended from an old southern family and born at Frankfort, Ky., July 26,
1826, George H. Swingle led the care-free, happy life of a southern lad until
the time came for him to earn his own livelihood, when he moved to Missouri and
settled near Independence. When gold was discovered in the west he saw many
"prairie schooners" pass his home on their way to the overland route and it soon
became his desire to join the gold-seekers across the mountains. During the
summer of 1853 he crossed the plains with oxen and finally reached Sacramento.
That city was his headquarters for some years, during which time he was in the
employ of Mr. Bullard, a couple of years being passed in Dutch Flat, where he
sold goods. In the meantime observation had led him to decide to invest in land
and therefore in 1858 he abandoned his occupation permanently and removed to
Yolo county, here purchasing land upon which he engaged in ranching. Both as a
grain-raiser and as a raiser of stock he was successful and at one time his
landed possessions aggregated eleven hundred and twenty acres. He was a
progressive citizen, and when the Central Pacific road planned their line he
gave the right of way through his ranch, the company establishing a station
there and naming it Swingle in his honor.

    While forging his way ahead through the intelligent cultivation of the
ranch, Mr. Swingle did not neglect any duty as a citizen, but contributed his
quota to the upbuilding of the county. In politics he gave his support to the
Democratic party. At the fall election of 1866 he was chosen to represent the
second district on the board of county supervisors. The satisfaction given by
his services received abundant proof in his re-election to the office and he
served for four consecutive terms, meanwhile maintaining an active part in the
building of bridges, the opening of highways, the development of villages and
the encouraging of public improvements. At the time of coming west he was
unmarried and it was not for a considerable period thereafter that he
established domestic ties. His marriage was solemnized in San Francisco in 1871
by the Rev. Mr. Lathrop and united him with Miss M. E. Hall, who was born in
Elyria, Ohio, but passed her childhood in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is the
daughter of Erastus and Sophia (Cowles) Hall, natives of Connecticut. For a few
years prior to 1890 Mr. and Mrs. Swingle resided in Alameda in order that their
only son, George Kirk, might enjoy the splendid educational advantages offered
by that city. On their return to the ranch Mr. Swingle resumed farming
activities. He passed away after a long illness, November 1, 1895. Since then
the widow and son have operated the ranch, which is under a high state of
cultivation, bringing in a gratifying annual income in return for the care
exercised in its management. 



Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
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
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


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