BIO: Reuben Swartz, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                            CHAPTER XXXVIII.

                          BOROUGH OF CARLISLE.

397  BOROUGH OF CARLISLE.

  REUBEN SWARTZ, the general proprietor of the "Thudium House," 
Carlisle is a native of Cumberland County, born three miles north of 
Hogestown, in Silver Spring Township, February 11, 1845, a son of Peter 
and Catherine (Burtner) Swartz, both natives of Silver Spring Township, 
and descendants of old families of Cumberland County.  When nine years 
old he went to live with his uncle at Bridgeport, this county, and 
remained with him five years.  He then learned the plasterer's trade at 
Mechanicsburg, where he remained three years; then went to Canton, 
Ohio, and worked at his trade two years, when he returned to 
Pennsylvania and located at Titusville four years.  He formed a 
partnership with Francis Le Rew, and they conducted the "White Hall 
Hotel," at Harrisburg, Penn.  Two years later, Mr. Swartz engaged in 
buying and selling horses and clerking at the "White Hall Hotel."  In 
the spring of 1878 he came to Carlisle and leased the "Thudium House," 
which he still conducts.  In 1884 he formed a partnership with S. P. 
Jackson, and dealt in horses and general stock.  March 11, 1878, he 
married Miss Alice Simons.  She was born and reared in Landisburg, 
Perry County, a daughter of George and Catherine J. (Parkinson) Simons.  
Her father was in the Mexican war as a drummer-boy; also served in the 
civil war.  He was a son of George Simons, a soldier in the war of 
1812; both were blacksmiths.  To Mr. and Mrs. Swartz two sons were 
born, one living, William L., born March 4, 1879.  Mr. Swartz is a 
member of Cumberland Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Carlisle.  He keeps a 
first-class house in every respect, neat and well furnished, and he and 
wife pay special attention to the comfort of their guests.  They are 
justly popular and have hosts of friends.  During the civil war, in 
1864, Mr. Swartz drove a Government wagon one year.