BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Samuel M. SWAN, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 59-60
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DR. SAMUEL M. SWAN. Shortly before our Revolutionary war, a Scotchman by the 
name Swan, left his bonnie country to come to America. This Scotchman was the 
grandfather of Dr. Samuel M. Swan, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a prominent 
citizen and physician of high worth. In America, the grandfather of Dr. Swan 
lived in New York city for a short time. From there he removed to the Bermudas, 
where, on the beautiful little island of St. Dominico, Samuel Swan, father of 
Dr. Swan, was born.
     In 1799 the family returned to Scotland, where they remained for twenty 
years. At the expiration of that time they came back to America and settled in 
Philadelphia. Samuel Swan emigrated to the Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania, probably about 1824.
     He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a man of influence and 
scholarly habits. He had the unusual advantage of obtaining his literary 
education in Scotland, where there are not only "grand scholars," but many a man 
that has the "richt sough."
     Rev. Swan received his theological training at the Princeton Theological 
seminary, and after being ordained to the ministry, was called to take charge of 
a number of churches in the Ligonier valley. In 1842 he came to Johnstown, at 
which place he was pastor of the Presbyterian church for ten years. Afterwards 
he had charge of a church at Armagh, Indiana county, for four years. Then, going 
to De Kalb county, Illinois, he served as a missionary for a number of years, 
and until he became superannuated.
     In 1877 Rev. Samuel Swan died in Blairsville, Indiana county, where he had 
been living for a short time before his death.
     The mother of Dr. Swan was a descendant of one of the oldest and best 
families of Lignonier valley. Her father, Samuel Moorhead, for a long time 
justice of the peace in the county, was a prominent and reliable man, of fine 
judgment and sturdy attainments. Thus it will be seen that Dr. Swan at his birth 
came into an invaluable inheritance, an inheritance which only an ancestry 
possessed of moral and intellectual worth can bequeath. In addition, he was 
carefully educated. He prepared for his college course at the Elders Ridge 
academy, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Cannonsburg college, 
Washington county, in 1851. He began the study of medicine with Dr. C. Sheridan 
of Johnstown, and then attended the Jefferson Medical college of Philadelphia, 
from which college he was graduated in 1854. After graduating, he practiced for 
one year with Dr. Thomas St. Clair, of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Then, going 
next to De Kalb county, Illinois, he continued the practice of his profession 
with eminent success until 1862. At this time the Civil War was in progress, and 
being filled with patriotic zeal, he joined the Twelfth regiment of the Illinois 
infantry in the capacity of assistant surgeon. For two years he discharged the 
duties of this office with an efficiency and earnestness which gained for him a 
promotion to the surgeoncy of the One Hundred and Eleventh regiment of Illinois 
infantry. He remained with this regiment as surgeon until it was mustered out in 
1865.
     After the war Dr. Swan returned to Johnstown and entered into a 
professional partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Sheridan, which lasted for 
ten years. Since that time he has practiced by himself, and in the performance 
of his professional duties has been to his patients a benefactor and a kind 
friend.
     The circumstances of Dr. Swan's life have amply attested to his genuine and 
fruitful ability. His associates in the medical profession have accorded him 
signal honors. He has served as president of the Cambria County Medical society, 
is a member of the State Medical society of Pennsylvania, and has been a 
delegate to its meetings twice, once when it was held at Philadelphia and once 
at Bedford Springs. He was also a delegate to the American Medical association 
at one of its meetings in Washington and at one in Philadelphia. In addition to 
these honorable and responsible positions which he has held in the associations 
of his profession, Dr. Swan served, during the administration of President 
Arthur, as a member of the pension examining board of Cambria county.
     He is a member of Cambria lodge of Masons, No. 228, and of Emory Fisher 
Post No. 30, G. A. R., at Johnstown.
     The Scotchman as "gude buid," an universal and long-established belief. 
Nothing in the life of this descendant of a Scotchman will disturb it.