BIOGRAPHY: John Andrew SWARTZ, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ _______________________________________________ The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 604-605. JOHN ANDREW SWARTZ, M. D., McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pa., son of Dr. Christian and Margaretta (Stamm) Swartz, was born at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, Pa., March 1, 1825. He is of German ancestry. His maternal grandparents were John and Rebecca Stamm, who resided in Berks county, on the Tulpehocken creek. Mr. Stamm was a tanner, which trade he followed in connection with his farming interests. His family consisted of five children. Dr. Swartz, Sr., first practised his profession at Hamburg, Berks county, and at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county. In 1830 he came to Lewistown, Mifflin county, where he built up an extensive practise, and where the rest of his life was spent. He was married in Berks county, June 27, 1812, to Margaretta Stamm. Dr. Swartz, Sr., died August 5, 1847, his wife preceding him to the grave by exactly two years, having died August 5, 1845. Their children were: Mary Ann, born July 12, 1813, married the late Hon. Judge Beaver, of Danville, Pa., and had four sons and four daughters; Franklin, born July 5, 1816, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and practised medicine in Juniata county, where he died April 5, 1848; William Findley, born May 3, 1819, married Emmeline Pyle, of Philadelphia, has one daughter, Mrs. David Zinn, of Philadelphia, who has one son, David Zinn, Jr.; John Johnson, born May 24, 1822, died young; John Andrew; Henry Frederick, born May 30, 1827, died young; Charles Edwin, born December 15, 1834, is married, and resides in Philadelphia with his family. Dr. John A. Swartz came to Lewistown with his parents while yet in his childhood, and in that town he grew to manhood. He attended the public schools and the academy at Lewistown, and at eighteen he began to read medicine with Dr. Culbertson, of the same place. After remaining with that gentleman for two years, he entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, graduating there- from in 1849. In the same year he came to McVeytown and began, and has since continued, a very successful practise of his chosen profession. He is a Democrat, and a good citizen, wide-awake and progressive, and has become influential in the county councils of his party. He has frequently served in various borough offices, and during President Cleveland's first term, he was appointed to the office of chief of a Division in the Treasury Department, and held it four years. Dr. John A. Swartz was married December 28, 1852, to Anna Matilda, daughter of George and Mary (Clayton) Lewis. Mrs. Swartz is of English descent, and is a niece of Hon. John M. Clayton, of Maryland. Two of their children died young, the others are: Dr. John Ross, born January 26, 1857; Frank Clayton, D. D. S., graduate of the Dental College of Philadelphia, began practise in that city, and died there July 18, 1887; and Mary Lewis (Mrs. George Mitchell), born August 23, 1858, married September 16, 1888, now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. J. A. Swartz and his wife attend the Presbyterian church at McVeytown. Dr. John Ross Swartz, the elder son, is a practising physician of Harrisburg, Pa. He was educated in the public schools and at Airy View Academy. After reading medicine with his father, he entered the Hahnemann College, of Philadelphia, and graduated in 1879. He began to practise in Washington, D. C., as assistant to T. D. Verdie, M. D. He removed in 1880 to Harrisburg, where he is in the enjoyment of an extensive and profitable practise. He received from President Cleveland an appointment to the county board of pension examiners, of which he was secretary for three years. Dr. J. R. Swartz is an active and interested member of the county, State and national medical organizations. He is also a member of the Harrisburg Club, and of the Masonic fraternity. Dr. J. R. Swartz was married in 1883 to Marjorie, daughter of George and Annie Zinn, of Harrisburg.