BIO:  George SWOPE, Franklin Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 413-414

GEORGE SWOPE, farmer P.O. Cashtown, was born near New Oxford, Adams County, in 
1828, a son of Henry and Margaret Swope, who came from Hessen-Darmstadt, 
Germany, about 1800, and made their first settlement in this county.  They 
reared a family of four children:  Maria and Jacob, born in Germany, and 
Catharine and George, born in Adams County.  By trade Henry was a carpenter, 
which he also taught his son, Jacob, who followed it until his death.  Maria 
married Henry Kehm, and had two sons:  Jacob, a German Reformed minister, and 
Henry, a physician.  Jacob Swope married a Miss Huffman, and reared six 
children.  Catherine died unmarried.  George, our subject, married, in 1845, 
Anna Nary, and began home life in Oxford.  At the time of his marriage he was a 
poor man, but full of energy.  His life had been one of toil, but he learned by 
practical experience how to invest his hard-earned savings to the best 
advantage.  Success came year by year, and in 1863 Mr. Swope found himself 
possessed by a bank account of $2,500, every dollar of which had been honestly 
earned.  With his wife and family, consisting of George, Elijah, Anna M., Louisa 
M. and Emma C. he immigrated to Brooklyn Township, Lee Co., Ill., where he 
purchased a quarter section of fine land.  Eleven years brought with them a 
fortune; and Mr. Swope sent to Adams County $10,000 cash and made a purchase of 
the well-known Stochsleger farm, for which he paid over $15,000.  He has made 
extensive improvements, and the farm is now looking its best.  His son, Charles, 
died prior to their removal to Illinois; Louisa died there; the two sons and 
other daughters reside on the Illinois farm, and are doing well.  Mr. Swope has 
a mind well stored with information on historical and theological subjects, and 
few farmers have a better library or time to peruse such choice literature as 
may be found with Mr. Swope.  He is a prominent member of the Reformed Church, 
and for a long time has been one of its trustees.  He is noted for his honesty, 
integrity and justice.  Politically he supports Democratic principles.