Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Swarthout, Jacob August 16, 1843 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:31 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers, Chicago

Jacob Swarthout, farmer, section 32, Sherman Township, was born in Waterloo, 
Seneca Co., N.Y., Aug. 16, 1843.  John 

Swarthout, his father, was born at Seneca Falls, N.Y., and has been a farmer 
and blacksmith during his active life.  He 

is of German extraction and married Amanda Taylor, a native of Wayne Co., 
N.Y.  She died in 1848, in Seneca County.  The 

father is a resident of Ionia County, and is 84 years of age.  Soon after the 
death of his wife he removed to Hillsdlae 

Co., Mich., removing later to his present location.

After the death of his mother when he was five years of age, Mr. Swarthout was 
under the care of his father until he was 

11 years old, when he took the control of his course of life into his own 
hands.  He found home and employment among the 

farmers of Hillsdale County until he became a fireman on the Michigan Southern 
Railroad.  He "fired" about 13 months, 

after which he was entrusted with an engine on the same road, although he was 
not yet 15.  He served in that capacity 

three years.

He enlisted Aug. 21, 1861, under the second call of President Lincoln for men 
to aid i the restoration of a "solid" 

Union, enrolling in the First Michigan Cavalry, uner Colonel Broadhead, who 
was killed in the second battle at Bull Run. 

 Mr. Swarthour was in the cavalry 15 months, and was a participant in all the 
fights which his regiment was involved, 

among which were Winchester, Oliver Heights and the captire of Harper's 
Ferry.  He was discharged for disability, but 

soon re-enlisted in Battery F, Light Artillery, from Flint, Michigan.  His 
command accompanied Sherman through the 

Georgia campaign, ad he fought in the following engagements:  Resaca, May 14; 
Pine Hill, June 10; Lost Mountain, June 

15; around the Kenesaw Mountains, JUne 22; Atlanta, July 21, 22, 27.  (These 
were contests of 1864.)  Aug. 4, 8, 9 and 

11, the forces were in action near Atlanta where Battery F had the honor of 
throwing the first shell.  Mr. S. also took 

part in the battle near Kingston, N.C., March 10, 1865.  He received his 
discharge July 8, 1865, at Jackson, Mich., and 

returned to Hillsdale County.  He resumed his former occupation of farmer, in 
which he continued four years.

In October, 1869, he came to Osceola County, where he made a homestead claim 
of the real estate he has owned ever since, 

situated on section 32, Sherman Township, and consisting of 80 acres of land.  
The entire acreage was in its forest 

condition, and he has now 55 acres under most creditable cultivation, and 
forming one of the most desirable and valuable 

farms in the township.  He has recently built a large barn.  He is a skilled 
farmer and a trusted, rewpected citizen.  

Politically he is a Republican, and has served as Township Treasurer.

He was married Nov. 26, 1868, in Hillsdlae Co., Mich., to Emma Convis.  They 
have one child - Ethel - born April 23, 

1870.  Mrs. Swarthut was born Aug. 22, 1849, in Wheatland Township, Hillsdlae 
County, and is the daughter of Philo D. 

and Huldah (Halleck) Convis.  The father still resides on the homestead where 
the mother died, in July, 1867.

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