BIOGRAPHY: Morrell SWANK, 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. 402-3
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Morrell SWANK

M0RRELL SWANK, a member of the firm of the Swank Hardware Co., of Johnstown, 
this county, is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Border) Swank, and was born in 
Johnstown, August 6, 1857.
     His grandfather, Samuel Swank, was born and reared in Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in agriculture all his life. He died in his 
native county in 1884. Jacob Swank (father) was born in Somerset county, and 
removed to Cambria county in 1856, locating in Johnstown, where he engaged in 
the pottery business, being a practical potter himself. He continued this 
business successfully until the time of the late Civil War. In 1862 he embarked 
in the hardware business in Johnstown, and conducted the business successfully 
until the flood of 1889, in which terrible disaster he lost his life, aged 
fifty-seven years.
     He was a member of the English Lutheran church, and in politics was 
identified with the Democratic party. Mr. Swank was a very successful business 
man. He was a hard worker, and by honest methods and close attention to business 
he gained the confidence of all who knew him. His marriage with Catherine 
Border, a native of Somerset county, who also lost her life in the memorable 
flood, resulted in the birth of a number of children.
     Morrell Swank was reared in Johnstown, and received a good common-school 
education. On leaving school he entered his father's hardware store as a clerk, 
and continued with him in that capacity until the great flood. His father having 
lost his life in the flood, Mr. Swank, in connection with his brothers, Harry 
and George W., has conducted the business under the firm-name of the Swank 
Hardware company.
     Mr. Swank has been twice married. In 1884 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Ella, a daughter of the late Dr. Fry, of Johnstown. By the first marriage 
Mr. Swank has one daughter living: Zora. In 1893 he married his second wife, 
Miss Ariminta Fry, a sister of the deceased wife. In the great flood of 1889 Mr. 
Swank lost his wife, one child, father, mother, brother Frederick and sister 
Jennie, besides about twenty other relatives.