Abner R.Swope
It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still a matter for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative agriculturists of Fayette county, Ohio. For a number of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded in overcoming the obstacles with which his pathway was beset and is now living in comfortalble retirement at Bloomingburg, enjoying the fruits of the labor of his earlier years.
A. R. Swope, whose farm is located about two and one-half miles north-east of Bloomingburg, on the Jones road, is a native of Fairfield county, this state, born near Amanda on December 21, 1840. He is a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Lefever) Swope, whose marriage occurred in 1827. Thomas was born in Huntington, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of February, 1800, being the son of David and Mary (Cole) Swope. They were both natives of Huntington county, Pennsylvania, where their marriage took place, and then in the year 1802 they, with their respective families, all emigrated to Ohio, locating in Fairfield county. This was in the days of the early history of the state and was before it was admitted as a state to the Union.
The immediate subject was one of a family of twelve children, several of whom have passed into the great beyond. David and Jacob, the oldest two, are deceased, then follows Thomas; the subject is the fourth child in order of birth; Samuel, Felix, Margaret (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Sturgeon), Rebecca (Mrs. Wood), deceased, as are also Jane (Mrs. Ingman), Louisa (Mrs. Ashbrook) and Emma (Mrs. Peters).
Mr. Swope received his early education in the schools of Amanda township, Fairfield county, later attending the schools of Pleasantville (Ohio) for his more advanced studies. He assisted his father with the work about the home place, and in this manner early acquired careful training in those things which make farming a success. He remained under the paternal roof until twenty-four years of age, when he rented a tract of land containing one hundred and twenty acres and started out in life on his own responsibilities. He farmed that land for three years, living thereon in the meantime, and succeeded so well in his business venture that he then felt justified in making a purchase, and bought his first forty acres on which he took up his residence. There he remained until 1881, when he purchased the Alexander farm near Bloomingburg. This consisted of two hundred and fifty acres and at the time he acquired it he became a resident of this county, where he has since resided. He retained the Alexander farm but a short time, when he disposed of it and purchased the Jones farm, where he lived for the next twelve years, when he came within the radius of Bloomingburg and has lived here ever since. One hundred and fifty-three acres of his farm are located in Paint township and one hundred in Madison. It would be impossible in a sketch of this length to tell of the hardships and struggles of Mr. Swope's earlier career, but suffice it to say that each obstacle encountered only urged him on to a more determined effort and in the end he triumphed and is now regarded as one of the most successful farmers of this locality.
On November 1, 1866, Mr. Swope was united in marriage with Mary C. Murray, daughter of Evan and Margaret (Kiger) Murray, who were early pioneers of Fairfield county, this state, coming here from Virginia. Mrs. Swope's death occurred on February 28, 1913. She was a woman of many excellent traits of heart and mind who had endeared herself to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, not only by the kindly interest she manifested in those about her, but also through her children by the impress her personality and careful training left upon their lives and characters. She was an earnest and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she was laid to rest in Bloomingburg cemetery. She was the mother of six children. Frank, the eldest, was educated in the schools of Bloomingburg, early evinced a talent for business and for some time has been connected with the Adams Express Company, with headquarters at Columbus, Ohio. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and his fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry, the Eastern Star, and the Modern Woodmen of America. William, who resides at Columbus, married Ada Squire and they have one child. Madison. Charles is practicing dentistry at Columbus. His earlier education was received at Bloomingburg and his special training in his chosen profession in a college at Columbus. He married Dora L. Briggs, who has borne him two children, Bernice and Charles, Jr. Olive, the youngest of the family. remains in the home, while the parents had the misfortune to lose two of the children, Clay and Ellen.
Special honor is due Mr. Swope in that he was one of the faithful boys in blue who marched to the front in the early sixties, sworn to preserve the integrity of the union. He enlisted on May 2, 1864, as a private in the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Regiment and served under Colonel Jackson in the division known as the Army of the Potomac. After the expiration of his service, he returned to his home and again took up the interests of life where he had laid them down at the nation's cry for help. Mr. Swope is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Bloomingburg and does all within his power to further its interests. Politically, he is a member of the Republican party and, while interested in its affairs, has never found opportunity to devote much time to active work in same.
Mr. Swope possesses one of those sturdy characters which measure well up to the full standard of manhood, having proven throughout his life his faithfulness to any and all trusts imposed in him. He has ever been interested in advancing in every manner possible the social, moral and educational life of the community, bearing always in mind his responsibilities as a father and desiring for his children the best possible environment. Mr. Swope holds an enviable position in the hearts of his many friends and neighbors, surely a fitting tribute to one who has endeavored to live a correct and useful life
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)