OBIT: John SWARTZ, 1878, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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_________________________________________ 

DEATH OF JOHN SWARTZ, ESQ.

  At an early hour of Friday morning last, John Swartz, Esq., one of 
the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Altoona, passed 
away to that rest which remaineth to the people of God. On the previous 
evening, while sitting in the tailor shop of Jacob Snyder, he 
complained of feeling unwell, and was removed to his home, where he 
soon after lapsed into unconsciousness, in which state he remained 
until death came to his relief. His death was caused by paralysis, of 
which he had previously had two attacks, the third, as it almost 
invariably does, resulting fatally. 
  The following particulars we extract from the Tribune:
  Mr. Swartz was born in New Buffalo, Perry county, Pa., on the 24th of 
November 1822, and was consequently 55 years, 6 months and 21 days old. 
His father was a farmer at New Buffalo. The "squire" subsequently 
removed to Duncannon, several miles down the river, where he engaged in 
the drug business, and was elected a justice of the peace. He has a 
brother, a merchant in that place now.  From Duncannon, early in 1864, 
he came to Altoona, and entered the office of Hon. John Reilly, 
superintendent of transportation of the Pennsylvania railroad, where he 
had ever since been employed in the responsible and mentally laborious 
position of "loss and damage" clerk. He served one term in the City 
Council, representing the Third ward, the second year being elected 
president of that body. He declined to be a candidate afterward.
  "Squire Swartz," though in life laboring under the misfortune of a 
physical deformity, was blessed by nature with a brilliant mind, and 
the responsible position he occupied was the best proof of the 
confidence of his employers. He was a generous, affable, whole-souled 
gentleman, and his sudden taking off will be deeply regretted by his 
countless friends and the community generally. He was a man whose deeds 
were not trumpeted forth to the world, but he rather obeyed the 
injunction, "Let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth". 
Peace to his ashes.

Democratic Standard, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, June 19, 1878