SWORDS, Marion L., St. Landry Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 422-424. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. Swords, Marion Lewis, sheriff of the parish of St. Landry, La., was born at the plantation home of his parents in the northern part of St. Landry parish, La., Feb. 24, 1857; son of James T. and Mary E. (Moss) Swords. The father was a native of the State of Georgia, but in 1847 removed to Louisiana and located in the parish in which the son was afterward born. He became a prosperous planter of that section, and followed that vocation during the remainder of his life, with the exception of the period of his service as a Confederate soldier during the Civil war. His command operated mainly in the Trans-Mississippi department, and he participated in some of the most stubbornly contested engagements that took place in Louisiana. In 1874, he removed to Pointe Coupée parish, and there his death occurred 2 years later, 1876. The mother was born in Wilkinson county, Miss., but was reared in Louisiana. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Swords she was the widow of Thomas Curry, and 2 sons and 2 daughters had been born of this 1st marriage, namely: Dudley A. and John M. Curry, Mrs. Jane Cappel and Mrs. Frances Moss, all of whom, except John M., are living at this time. Besides these half-brothers and half-sisters, Sheriff Swords has 1 brother and 1 sister born to his father and mother, these latter being James Ewell Swords and Mrs. Mary Hart. Marion Lewis Swords passed his boyhood days at the family plantation home in St. Landry parish. From the age of 14 until he had attained the years of early manhood, he was engaged in the varied occupations of saw milling, steamboating, farming and clerking in the general merchandise stores of St. Landry, Pointe Coupée and Avoyelles parishes. At the age of 21 years, having accumulated a small capital, he launched into the business world on his own account, opening a general nierchandise store in Pointe Coupée parish. By enterprising methods, strict integrity, and prudence in the management of his affairs, he rapidly built up a prosperous and expanding business, and was beginning to look forward to greater successes when the destructive flood of 1882 came and swept away the fruits of all his diligent toil. The young merchant pocketed his losses, rendered such aid as it was possible for him to extend to his unfortunate neighbors, and with the spirit that augurs ultimate triumph in spite of obstacles, turned again to the soil. He became a farmer, and shortly afterward began buying and selling cotton seed, which he continued about 10 years. Meantime he had become a prominent factor in local politics and had an extensive acquaintance among voters, his activities in connection with political campaigns dating back to about his 20th year. He took a prominent part in the hardly-contested fight against the Louisiana state lottery, and as chairman of the democratic executive committee of St. Landry parish, managed to roll up a majority of 1,711 votes against the lottery. In 1892 he was appointed assessor and registrar of the parish by Gov. Murphy J. Foster, and it is said that he enjoys the unique distinction of being the only registrar in the State of Louisiana who was compelled to serve a term in jail for refusing to register negro voters. He was finally sustained by the supreme court of the state. In 1900 he was elected to the office of sheriff of St. Landry parish. That his succeeding management of the affairs of that office was fully endorsed by the people of the parish seems abundantly apparent from the fact that he was reëlected in 1904 and again in 1908. He had opposition in each contest, but the nomination was given him on the first ballot. In 1900 Mr. Swords was a delegate to the democratic national convention at Kansas City. He has been a life-long democrat, and on all occasions active in the interests of the party and democratic principles. Nov. 25, 1879, Mr. Swords was married to Miss Aola V. Ward, second daughter of T. C. Ward, of Avoyelles parish. To them have been born 8 children, five of whom are living at this time, namely: Dr. Merrick W., a practicing physician of New Orleans and a graduate of the medical department of Tulane university, class of 1907, and of Johns Hopkins post-graduate, 1911; Mary, who was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, La., and at Soulé college, New Orleans, afterward, on Feb. 21, 1909, becoming the wife of Dr. Charles H. Masters, dentist, of Lafayette, La.; Collins W., a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work; Alexander W., 16 years old, and who was page to Lieut.-Gov. Lambremont at Baton Rouge, and Rosalind, 12 years old. In 1906-7, Mr. Swords erected a handsome modern residence in the city of Opelousas. The structure is built of concrete, occupies half of a city block, and cost something more than $12,000. The architectural features of this dwelling have attracted much attention and it is considered by many as the finest home in St. Landry parish. Sheriff Swords is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and it is said that he is never unwilling to do his full share, not only in any meritorious charitable work, but in any movement that has for its object the common good or the upbuilding and advancement of his town, parish or state.