Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Swiggart, John M 1850 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 11:53 am

Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890

JOHN M. SWIGGART. 

A large portion of the business interests of Joliet is in the hands of its 
young and enterprising men, among whom Mr. Swiggart occupies a position in the 
front rank. He commenced comparatively without means, dependent upon his own 
resources, and about 1884 embarked in the grocery trade, locating at the 
northeastern corner of Easton Avenue and Cass Street. He has been in business 
at this point about six years and occupies a fine large double store in the 
Union Block, with two street fronts, and in which he has a fine and well-
selected stock of staple and fancy goods. He owns a one-third interest in this 
block. He gives his close attention to his business and has a fair out-look 
for the future. A native of Scottsville, Mo., our subject was born January 22, 
1850, and is the son of John J. and Mary (Fulk) Swiggart, who were natives of 
Iowa and are now deceased. He spent his boyhood and youth in Hamburg, Iowa, 
acquiring a practical education in the common schools. He came to Joliet in 
1875, and for eight years thereafter was in the employ of the Joliet Steel 
Company. In the meantime he was recognized as a valued addition to the 
community, and after filling various other positions of trust and 
responsibility was, in 1884, elected Town and City Collector on the Republican 
ticket. At the close of his term of office Mr. Swiggart established himself in 
the grocery trade on the southwest corner of Cass Street and Easton Avenue, 
and by a course of fair dealing and courteous treatment of his customers, his 
business increased to such an extent that he was obliged to move into more 
commodious quarters. Then, in partnership with George Monroe and William 
McDermont, he purchased the ground occupied by the Union Block, upon which 
they built, and of which they still retain ownership. He now has the largest 
grocery in the city, building it up from first principles by his own 
exertions. He is a favorite both in social and business circles, a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, having attained to the Chapter degree, belongs to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. In the latter he 
occupies the position of Treasurer. Mr. Swiggart was for a time Vice President 
of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers of the Fourth 
District, and President of the Trade and Labor Council, but thought best to 
resign these positions upon going into business. Mr. Swiggart, on the 23d of 
September, 1875, was wedded to Miss Isaphine Crouch, who at that time was a 
resident of Thurman, Iowa. Mrs. Swiggart was born January 21, 1851, and is the 
daughter of Hiram Crouch and wife, who are now deceased. The young couple 
immediately after their wedding came to Joliet, of which they have since been 
residents. John J. Swiggart, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, 
where he was reared to man's estate and married. Thence he removed to 
Missouri, and from there to Iowa, locating in Hamburg, where he and his 
estimable wife spent the remainder of their days.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 
 


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