EDSON SWARTHOUT, Biography / Sciota and Victor Townships, Clinton County, 
Michigan

Submitted for use by USGENWEB Clare County, Michigan November 2002 
wilkinschw@aol.com

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Portrait and Biographical Album of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, Michigan.  
Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891.

EDSON SWARTHOUT, an extensive stock-raiser, is the owner of the finest farm in 
Sciota Township, his home being situated on section 5.  He was born in Victor Township, 
Clinton County, Mich., January 20, 1857, and is a son of THOMAS L. and MARY 
(PARKER) SWARTHOUT.  His parents were both natives of Ovid, N.Y., and with their 
respective families came to Michigan in 1837, settling in Victor Township, Clinton 
County.  The paternal grandparents removed to Ovid Township, that county, a few years 
later and named the village and town of Ovid.  They were among the first settlers in that 
section, where they spent the remainder of their lives.  The maternal grandfather resided 
in Victor, Clinton County, until his death, but his wife still survives him.

The parents of our subject are now making their home in Victor Township, Clinton 
County.  THOMAS L. SWARTHOUT has made farming his life occupation and in the 
legitimate channels of business has acquired a good property.  In politics he is a supporter 
of the Republican party and has held a number of town offices.  Both he and his wife 
have been members of the Methodist Church since childhood and are earnest, consistent 
Christian people who have the respect of all who know them.  In their family are only 
two children--EDSON and NORA, the latter the wife of C.E. WARNER, of Falkton, S. 
Dak.

In the usual manner of farmer lads EDSON SWARTHOUT was reared to manhood.  His 
boyhood days were spent amid play and work, and his early education acquired in the 
district schools was supplemented by study in the schools of Ovid.  He remained under 
the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he left home and began life for 
himself.  As a helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss FRANCES ADELL WARREN, 
and their wedding was celebrated on the 9th of November, 1879, in Middlebury, the 
native town of Mrs. SWARTHOUT.  Her parents were DAVID and MARY 
(INGERSOL) WARREN.

The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm where they still reside, and 
which was the property of Mr. SWARTHOUT a year or two previous to his marriage.  A 
view of this estate will be found elsewhere in this volume, and, as before stated, no finer 
farm can be found in Sciota Township.  It comprises two hundred acres of valuable land, 
and with the exception of about twenty-five acres the entire amount in under a high state 
of cultivation.  The home is a fine two-story frame residence with a lawn in front, and 
beautiful shade trees protect it from the heat of summer.  Ample shelter is provided for 
the stock in three large barns, the dimensions of which are 36x70, 24x64 and 35x74 feet.

Mr. SWARTHOUT raises excellent grades of stock, making a specialty of sheep, of 
which he has a fine herd.  His pleasant home, good buildings, the latest improved 
machinery and the well-tilled fields all indicate the owner to be a man of practical and 
progressive ideas who thoroughly understands his business, and is therefore meeting with 
excellent success.  The enterprise and perseverance which has characterized his life have 
won him prosperity, and his fair dealing has secured him the confidence of all. Politically 
he is a Republican, but has never taken any prominent part in public affairs.  He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Church, give liberally to its support and in the social 
circles of the community they rank high.