BIO: Daniel SWARTZ, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 403-405. __________________________________________________________________ DANIEL SWARTZ, Three Springs, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, August 28, 1839, son of George and Sarah (Flasher) Swartz. George Swartz was the son of Daniel Swartz, who was born in Germany, where he grew up, and was married. Emigrating to America, John Swartz settled first in York county, Pa., and removed afterwards to a place near Elliottsburg, Perry county, where he died, and is buried near Mannsville. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Swartz were, Daniel, died in Perry county; John, emigrated to Illinois, married in the 60's, and still resides in that State; Henry, died in Perry county; Jacob, died in Perry county; David, died in Perry county; George; Joseph, died in Cumberland county, Pa.; Elizabeth (Mrs. Barrick), died in Illinois; Catharine (Mrs. Barrick), died in Illinois. The mother died in Perry county. On the night of her death, her son George, who then lived in Huntingdon county, had a presentiment of it, and was so strongly impressed by the idea that his mother had departed, that early the nest morning he mounted his swift sorrel horse, and rode to Perry county, there to find himself indeed motherless. George Swartz was born in Perry county, near Mannsville, in 1809. His boyhood was passed in that county, and there he married; but in 1853, with his wife and two children, he removed to a tract of land near Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, which he had bought. At first, they resided for some time in an old log house which stood on this land; a house so dilapidated that one day, while the family were at dinner, a great black snake crawled in through a crevice in the wall, and fell on the table before them. It was killed. Later, Mr. Swartz, erected a more substantial house, at that time the best house in Cromwell township. He cleared his farm, and brought it into a high state of cultivation. His wife, who was Miss Sarah Flasher, was a native of Perry county, born in 1812. Their children are: Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Bowser), of Clay township; Mary (Mrs. William Reihart), of Clay township; Catherine (Mrs. George Reneker), formerly of Clay, now of Cromwell township; Rebecca (Mrs. Andrew Shue), first of Clay, then of Cromwell township, where she died; Daniel; John, died at the age of twenty-one, December 25, 1865; Peter, died January 25, 1860; and Melinda, who died on the same day as Peter. Mrs. George Swartz died in 1874, and Mr. Swartz in 1882. He was an industrious man, not afraid of hard work, kind and faithful to his family. Daniel Swartz, fifth child but first son of George Swartz, grew up as his father's helper on the farm, remaining at home until the war of the Rebellion broke out. His education was the simple course of study afforded by the common schools; his training in agricultural labor belonged to the days when threshing must be done by means of the heavy flail, on the barn floor. Those were days of hard labor, but they made sturdy men and good soldiers. Mr. Swartz, like many another patriotic youth, enlisted; it was on February 12, 1862, for a term of three years, and in Company I, Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserve. After enlistment, his regiment moved to Alexandria, Va.; the first battle in which it was engaged was the Seven Days' Fight. They then lay for a time at City Point, where Mr. Swartz was attacked by typhoid fever, and sent to the hospital at York, Pa., where he remained for about six weeks. He then received his discharge, but re-enlisted in the Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company G, for three years. He joined his regiment at Harrisburg, Pa., was sent to the front, and took part in the battles of Richmond, Fort Steadman (March 24, 1865), and Hatchers Run; on April 5, they charged upon the Confederate troops at Petersburg, Va., and drove them out; from this time on, Mr. Swartz was in every battle of the Army of the Potomac, up to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House. He was three times wounded; the first time by a minie ball, in the leg; again by a piece of shell, which struck him in the left eye, causing the loss of sight in that eye; and once again, by a saber cut in the left hand, inflicted by a rebel colonel, who was killed in the encounter. Mr. Swartz was mustered out at Alexandria, Va., and discharged at Harrisburg, June 2, 1865. Returning to his home, he resumed work on the farm, and in 1866, bought the homestead. During that winter, he cut cordwood, by which he made the sum of $500. In 1872, he sold the homestead, and removed to his present place, which contains seventy- seven acres. His home was burned in 1884, and he erected a handsome and convenient residence. Mr. Swartz owns town lots in Three Springs. Beginning as a poor boy, Mr. Swartz, has steadily worked his way to a position of comfort and respect, having improved diligently all his opportunities. He has sought intellectual improvement by reading, of which he is very fond. His course has won for him confidence and regard. He has served as school director for eighteen years, in Cromwell and Clay townships; was president of the board for nine years; he has been constable, and supervisor, and served three years as jury commissioner. Mr. Swartz is commander of Gen. Charles Albright Post, No. 483, G.A.R., and is now serving his second term. He belongs to the Springfield Grange, P. of H., to the P.O.S. of A., and to the A.P.A.; he was among the founders of the last two orders. He is patriotic to a fault. Daniel Swartz was married, March 18, 1866, in Cromwell township, to Charlotte, daughter of Richard Madden. Their children are: George W., farmer and miner, married Miss Anderson; Sarah Jane; John A.; Ida Belle (Mrs. Samuel Matthews), of Saltillo, Pa.; Mary M., died aged five years; Jacob; Annie Blanche, died in infancy; Lucinda; and Anna Catherine. Mr. Swartz is a member of the Church of God at Cherry Grove, Pa., in which he has been for three years an elder. He takes a warm and active interest in church work, and is faithful in the performance of duty. He has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for two terms, missing but one Sunday in his attendance for three years.