Sullivan County PA Archives Biographies.....SWANK, Ellis 1849 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 3, 2007, 1:47 am Author: Thomas J. Ingham (1899) ELLIS SWANK, ex-sheriff of Sullivan county, has for many years been prominently identified with the industrial and political interests of this section, and he has taken an active part in the upbuilding and progress of the community, cheerfully giving his support to those enterprises that tend to public development and materially aiding in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests. On the paternal side Mr. Swank is of German descent, his grandfather, Solomon Swank, having been a native of Germany. Emigrating to the New World, he was one of the earliest settlers of Sullivan county, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing until his death. He reared seven children, namely: John, Jacob, Christian, Samuel, Sarah, Elizabeth and Christiana. Christian Swank, our subject's father, was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, about 1820, and at a very early day accompanied his parents on their removal to Sullivan county. When a young man he became interested in agricultural pursuits, which he still follows in Davidson township. He married Miss Mary A., daughter of Jonas Swank, and to them were born seven children: Sarah A., now the widow of Clark Mossteller, of Sullivan county; Ellis, our subject; Peter G., a farmer of Davidson township; Henry, deceased; Elizabeth J., wife of J. A. Myers, of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania; Arabella, wife of J. W. Phillips, and Jerusha, wife of Milton Flick, both of Lycoming county. The wife and mother departed this life in 1887. Ellis Swank was born in Davidson township, July 18, 1849, and has spent his entire life in Sullivan county, receiving his education in its common schools and aiding in the work of the home farm during his boyhood and youth. In 1867 he took up the trade of carpenter, which he successfully followed for nine years. Subsequently he engaged in blacksmithing and sawing, while making his home in Muncy Valley. On the 17th of December, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Phillips, of Davidson township, and four children blessed their union: Elizabeth J., who died at the age of fourteen years; Elery E.; Thomas C., and Martin E. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Swank was elected constable of Davidson township, and most acceptably filled that position for two terms. In 1883 he was elected county auditor, and in the fall of 1885 was the choice of the people for sheriff of Sullivan county, both of which positions he filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public. His duties were performed with an unselfish devotion that well entitles him to the respect which is so freely given him and to a place among the honored and valued residents of the county. Politically he is a Democrat, and socially is a member of Lairdsville Lodge, No. 986, I. O. O. F. When elected sheriff he removed to Laporte, where he now makes his home. Additional Comments: Extracted from: History of Sullivan County Pennsylvania by Thomas J. Ingham Compendium of Biography The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago: 1899 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb