James Wesley Swindler
James Wesley Swindler, who has been a valued resident of Irondale, O., for twenty-seven years, and, until 1908 largely interested in the real estate business, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, October 30, 1846, and is a son of Nathan and Margaret (Russell) Swindler.
Nathan Swindler, father of James W., was born in Jefferson County, Ohio on Sugar Grove Ridge, March 1, 1821, and was a son of James and Elizabeth (Shaw) Swindler. The latter was a daughter of Nathan Shaw, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from New Jersey, whose record, copied from the papers in the office of the adjutant-general of the State of New Jersey, is as follows: "Nathan Shaw, in commission as ensign and lieutenant under Capt. John Smith, in First Battalion, Cumberland County, New Jersey Militia, 1776, at the battle of Trenton, New Jersey, December 26, 1776; battle of Princeton, New Jersey, June 3, 1777, afterwards until 1781, lieutenant of Capt. Jonathan Beasley's and Capt. George McLaughlin's companies, died in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 24, 1820." The parents of Nathan Swindler settled on Sugar Grove Ridge. They acquired land and among their possessions was the Hollow Rock Company meeting grounds. He was a farmer and was accidently killed while hauling a load of wheat to market. There were three sons born to James and Elizabeth Swindler: Nathan, Henry and Jesse, and six daughters: Eliza, Julia Ann, Sarah, Elizabeth, Maria and Susan, the last named dying in infancy. Henry Swindler died of cholera, in 1849. With his brother Nathan he was part owner of the steamboat, the "Governor Waite," of which he was clerk for a time and he also taught school at Steubenville for six years. Jesse Swindler went to Hancock County in 1836, carrying the sum of $500 in his belt, which he paid for land and engaged in farming in Hancock County, where he died in 1884. Eliza Swindler married Charles Hale, a son of Randall Hale, of Sugar Grove. Julia Ann married Calvin Hale. Sarah married Jacob Grubaugh and survived until 1903. Elizabeth married Michael Roller. Maria married Dr. Philander Haven, who practiced medicine at Lisbon and East Liverpool, O., and died at Manslield. The father of this family was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Nathan Swindler was a farmer and teacher and he moved to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1837. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company K, 118th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He refused a commission as captain and served mainly on detached duty. His death occurred in 1864 as a result of army exposure. He married Margaret Russell, who was born in 1824 and died in 1902. She was a daughter of William and Margaret Russell, the former of whom came to America from County Tyrone, Ireland. He was a hatter by trade and worked at the same at Pittsburgh but later moved to Brush Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, where his wife died and she was buried in the Mooretown United Presbyterian Church Cemetery. They had four daughters and one son: Eliza, who married Jesse Swindler; Mary, who never married; Margaret, who became the mother of J. W. Swindler; Jane, who married Henry Van Dyke, of Jefferson County; and William. The latter married Eliza Taylor and they moved to Hancock County and both died there.
Ten children were born to Nathan and Margaret (Russell) Swindler. Mary Jane, who died in 1880, at Findlay, O., was the wife of Chesterfield Jumper. William Russell married Mrs. Sadie Sargent. He is a carpenter and contractor and is also engaged in the oil business. Henry is a resident of Bowling Green, O., where he engages in contracting. He married Nancy Underwood. Thomas Benton, who is unmarried, lives at Findlay, O. Elizabeth, who is the wife of Samuel Creighton resides at Findlay; John is now deceased. Silas M., a painter by trade, resides with his family at Forest, O. Margaret Ellen has not married. Elmer Ellsworth, who is in the real estate and mining business, resides at Findlay. He married Jeanetta Routson, a daughter of David Routson. This record, with James Wesley, completes the family.
James Wesley Swindler was afforded excellent school advantages. He attended the Union school in his own neighborhood and later an academy at Delaware, O., in preparation for a theological course, but the precipitation of the Civil War brought about a change in his plans and he never completed his theological studies. He enlisted for service in Company G, 118th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through three years and during this period marched with the forces of General Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Resaca and still has a constant remainder in the shattered bone of his arm. Nevertheless he participated in every engagement in which his regiment was concerned except the battle of Franklin, and received his honorable discharge June 24, 1865.
After the termination of his army service, Mr. Swindler returned to his home in Hancock County and entered the office of Colonel Mungen with whom he read law. Later, in association with his brother Thomas he began the manufacturing of tile on the home farm and remained there until 1882, when he came to Irondale and entered into the real estate and lire insurance business. This he continued until 1908, when he retired, proposing to give the larger part of his attention to looking after his real estate in the West.
On May 9, 1877, Mr. Swindler was married to Miss Jeanetta Taylor, a daughter of John and Mary (Swickard) Taylor. The Taylor family is of Scotch-Irish extraction. John Taylor, father of Mrs. Swindler, was born in Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, February 23, 1829, and died July 8, 1902. He was a farmer and cooper. His parents were George and Jane (Snodgrass) Taylor and they came to Jefferson County from Maryland. On the trip over the mountains, George Taylor and his one sister became separated and they never were reunited. The children of George and Jane Taylor were: Eliza, who is the wife of Samuel Ryan, and still survives, being now in her eigth-seventh year and lives near Steubenville; Washington, who died young; James, who was accidentally killed by a horse; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of James Gilkison; Mary Jane, who married Absalom Gilkison, and lives in Missouri; Ann, who is Mrs. Mecums, also lives in Missouri; Andrew, who was a soldier in the Civil War from Jefferson County, later moved to Indiana and died there; Alexander, who died in the army during the Civil War; Sarah, who is the widow of David Holmes, and resides at Milwaukee, Wis., and John, the father of Mrs. Swindler. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Swickard, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father, Martin Swickard was a Revolutionary soldier. After the close of the war he secured lands by patentn near Richmond, Jefferson County, and was able to give each of his sons a farm. He was twice married and reared many ciiildren. To John Taylor and wife the following children were born: Margaret Jane, wife of William Finnicum; Sarah Jeanette, wife of J. W. Swindler; Emery Milton; John Franklin, deceased; Ada Elizabeth, wife of Lawrence Reed; William Ross, deceased; George Marqus; Mary Belle, wife of Samuel Boop; James Daniel; and Edward and Harry, both deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Swindler have two children: Stanley J. and Mabel Grace. Stanley J. Swindler attended the Irondale select school and Mt. Union College, where he was graduated in civil engineering. His first work was with the C. & P. Railroad, and for one year he was clerk and paymaster for the Murphy Construction Company near Cincinnati. On September 2, 1907, he went to Denver, Col., accepting the position of consulting engineer with the Colorado Construction Company. Miss Mabel Grace Swindler is principal of the Damascus public schools. She completed her education at Wooster College.
Mr. Swindler has been very prominent in public affairs for a number of years and has been identified with politics in his native state ever since his return from the army. In 1896 he served as a delegate to the National Populist convention held at St. Louis, and in 1900 was a delegate to the Democratic National convention held at Kansas City. For four years he was a member of the National Committee of the Populist party and in 1896 was state chairman for Ohio. He traveled over a large portion of the country while active in political life and made his last political speech at Chicago, in 1900. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and belongs to the G. A. R.
20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910