Chris Swingle of Knox County Ohio Biography

CHRIS SWINGLE.

Chris Swingle is numbered among the progressive farmers of Jefferson township and owns and operates one hundred and one acres on section 12, while elsewhere in the township he has another farm of one hundred and forty acres. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, February 28, 1849,a son of John G. and Barbara (Loose) Swingle. The father was a native of Prussia, but came to America when twenty years of age, locating first in New York, where he worked at the blacksmith’s trade. He also followed that pursuit in Canada and in Ohio. He was married in Buffalo. New York, and then removed to Canada, whence he went to Muskingum county, this state. After conducting a smithy for a time he purchased a farm in that county, and when he sold his property there came to Knox county in 1852.

Here he purchased land in Jefferson township and continued to make his home therein with the exception of one year, when he was engaged at his trade in Danville, Ohio, until his death, which occurred just eighteen days before the eighteenth anniversary of his birth. He died on his third farm in Jefferson, one mile north of Brinkhaven. He was reared in the Lutheran church, but became a prominent member of St. Luke’s Catholic church at Danville.

His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Loose, was a native of Hesse, Germany, and prior to her marriage crossed the Atlantic to the new world. She lived to be seventy- eight years of age and passed away two years prior to the death of her husband. They were the parents of five children, four of whom reached mature years :
-Mary, wife of Enoch Spencer, is deceased:
-Jacob, who enlisted in the Union army and died at Mount Vernon in the service when less than sixteen years of age;
-Chris;
-George, who owns and lives on the old homestead near Brinkhaven; and
-one that died in infancy.

Chris Swingle, the fourth in order of birth, was but three years old when the family came to Knox county, and in Jefferson township he was reared and pursued his education, also attending the schools of Danville. When nineteen years of age he engaged in teaching, at which he continued for eleven terms, all in this township, eight being spent in the home district; But while he was a successful and popular educator the greater part of his time and attention has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. At the time of his marriage he bought the old family homestead, where he has since remained. The place, comprising one hundred and one acres, is well equipped with modern improvements and accessories, with substantial buildings and in appearance is neat and thrifty. His attention is now wholly devoted to the farm.

On the 13th of April, 1871, Mr. Swingle wedded Miss Florence Blubaugh, who was the seventh child and fourth daughter in the family of Benjamin and Charlotte (Heckler) Blubaugh. She was reared and educated in Jefferson township, and for two years was a student in the school taught by Mr. Swingle, to whom she later gave her hand in marriage. They have nine living children:
-Agatha, the wife of Frank J. Durbin, a grocer of Mount Vernon;
-Bertha, an artist, who is teaching painting in the Art Institute in St. Mary’s convent at Columbus, Ohio;
-Jennie,
-Mary,
-Lucy,
-Katie, all at home:
-Eddie, who is engaged in teaching in the home school;
-George and
-Chris, who complete the family. They also lost one child, Rilla, who died at the age of two and a half years.

Mr. Swingle exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and for six years he served as justice of the peace of Jefferson township, proving a most commendable official. He and his family belong to St. Luke’s Catholic church, of Danville, and in the community are widely and favorably known. He has been one of its stanch supporters, contributing liberally to the construction of the present handsome edifice.

Pages 244-245

The Biographical Record of Knox County Ohio, Illustrated, Lewis Publ Co, Chicago, 1902

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