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A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SWARR FAMILY 
 
 OF 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY 
 PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 -BY- 
 
 JACOB MELLINGER SWARR 
 
 MECHANIC'S GROVE, PA. 
 
 Published for the Author 
 J909 
 
aS7) 
 
 .8^72-5- 
 
 ly. B. Herr Print 
 Ivancaster, Pa. 
 
 \ 
 
 t; 
 
A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 
 
 OF THE. 
 
 SWARR FAMILY. 
 
 /^rHE founder of the family in this country was Peter 
 \ii^ ScHWAHR, now SwARR, 3. native of Alsace province, 
 and was born Anno Domini, 1690, near the city of Stras- 
 burg. He married a lad}^ who was a native of the city 
 of Strasburg, whose maiden name was Adaline Bi^oom- 
 iNG. They had two sons, Peter and Christian. In the 
 year 1715, he with his family, emigrated to this country 
 and arrived in Philadelphia in the Spring of 17 16, as found 
 by colonial records. He left France on account of the 
 persecutions w^aged against the Protestants, himself and 
 family being Hugenots. Soon after their arrival at Phila- 
 delphia, they left for the interior and arrived, at what is 
 now Lancaster City, in the same spring of 17 16 and went 
 about one and one-half miles farther west where they made 
 their abode, and took a meal under an oak tree (as I heard 
 related when I was a boy) . Here Peter Swarr got in the 
 possession in common, with Hans and Jacob Brubaker, of 
 1000 acres of land which they divided, Swarr taking the 
 most northerly part of it, which was along the King's 
 Highway, now the Harrisburg Pike. The stone arch 
 bridge on the pike adjacent to what is now Long's Park, 
 was for many years known as Swarr' s Bridge. On the 
 north side of the east wing wall, there is a stone built in, 
 that was blood stained before the wall was made, there 
 having been a peddler murdered, by which the stone was 
 stained. Swarr' s farm on the south side of the pike (now 
 
Harnish's) still contains buildings put up by Swarr. There 
 was one of the sons killed by a cross bull in the meadow of 
 that farm. The spot was marked with a stone as I was told 
 by Jacob Harnish, who was also raised on the farm ; his 
 brother David is the present owner. 
 
 Soon after the founder, Peter Swarr had settled here, he 
 got into the possession of looo acres of land, four and one- 
 half miles northwest of Lancaster City, now East Hemp- 
 field township, where he built a grist and sawmill. On 
 Swarr' s run, where he built an acqueduct about a mile long, 
 in order to get rise and fall for a 14 foot overshot water 
 wheel, one of the sons, during the Revolution, put up in 
 place a large three stor}^ brick mill by which a post office 
 was named Swarr' s Mill Post Office. The mechanics 
 employed by Swarr were Hessian prisoners, who were 
 skilled workmen, whom he got out of the barracks at Lan- 
 caster. The brick mill is at present, owned and operated 
 by Henry Miller, a prominent business man and highly 
 respected citizen, who married a Miss Binkley, by which 
 name the mill property w^as known for a number of years. 
 
 After Peter Swarr and his wife were in this country, 
 there were born to them besides Peter and Christian, who 
 were born to them before they emigrated, three daughters 
 named, Anna, Adaline and Blanche, and one son, John, 
 who was my grandfather. 
 
 Peter Swarr, oldest son of the founder of the family, 
 married a Long, they had two daughter and one son. 
 Adaline, one of the daughters, married John Shenk, the 
 other daughter married Michael Bauchman. John, the 
 son, married Elizabeth Reist, they had five children, three 
 daughters and two sons. Anna, one of the daughters, 
 married Jacob Hostetter. Elizabeth married John Baer, 
 and Barbara married Emanuel G. Reigart, a prominent 
 lawyer of Lancaster county, and she was often spoken of 
 by President James Buchanan as having been a beautiful 
 and accomplished woman. 
 
 John Jr., great-grandson of Peter the founder, was 
 born in Lancaster county, October 19, 1776, and was 
 
married to Miss Susan Kauffman, December 24, 1820, by 
 the Rev. Reinke in Lititz. In the spring of 1836, Mr. Swarr 
 went with his family to Maimsburg, Ohio, where he died, 
 Wednesday, July 2, 1884, was buried Saturday the 5th, 
 aged 88 years He died of infirmities of old age. Services 
 were held at the Reformed church to which he was united 
 a few days before his death. He left four children, two 
 sons and two daughters. His brother Jacob died single. 
 
 Christian:, second son of Peter the founder and 
 brother of m}" grandfather, married Elizabeth Eby. They 
 had one son and two daughters. Elizabeth, one of the 
 daughters, married John Geisey, Anna the other, married 
 John Kauffman. John the son, married Anna Neff, they 
 had two daughters. Elizabeth married Jacob Miller, they 
 had children, among those living prior to 1853 were Mrs. 
 Ann Kauffman, Amelia, widow of Dr. Neff, Jacob C. and 
 John S. Miller, all of whom were residents of Lancaster 
 city. The other daughter of John, a grandson of Peter the 
 founder, married Henry Baer. They had children, among 
 the living prior to 1853, Dr. Emanuel S. Baer, Harriet, 
 widow of James Bryon, Mrs. Bowman, widow of Dr. Bow- 
 man, and Dr. Reuben S. Baer, surgeon United States Navy, 
 deceased. 
 
 There were three daughters born to Peter Swarr, the 
 founder of the family after they came to this country, and 
 also my grandfather John was born in Lancaster county in 
 1740. The daughters, Anna, Adaline and Blanche. My 
 great-grandfather, Peter Swarr the founder, died 1767, aged 
 78 ; his wife died sooner. The three daughters married 
 three brothers by the name of Shirk. Anna was born 1720, 
 married Ulrich Shirk, resided in the north-eastern part of 
 Lancaster county, died 1810, aged 90 years. She is buried 
 near Shoeneck, what is now known as Steinmetz's Church 
 and Cemetery, formerly Swarr's Graveyard, where my 
 grandfather had several hundred acres of land, and after- 
 wards owned by my uncle John Swarr. 
 
 My grandfather John, son of Peter the founder, as 
 stated before, was born 1740, and was married to Veronica 
 
Shirk, 1768; had children, John, born August 3, 1769; 
 Elizabeth, February 16, 1773 ; Christian, 1776 ; Peter 
 and Veronica, January 17, 1779, and x\nna, June i6th, 
 1 78 1. Veronica, grandfather's wife, died 1783, aged 30 
 years. Grandfather was again married in 1785 to Magada- 
 lena Yordy, widow of Peter Yordy, deceased. Her maiden 
 name was Nissley and only been married to Yord}^ less than 
 a year, when he died. She had no children by her first 
 husband and was but twenty-three j^ears at the time she 
 was married to grandfather. She was born in Lancaster 
 count3^ November 14, 1762. Grandfather had by second 
 marriage, five children, viz : Maria, born September 7, 
 1786 ; Martin, my father, October 25, 1788 ; Jacob and 
 Samuel, November 11, 1790; Magadalena, September 9, 
 
 1793- 
 
 My Uncle John Jr., my grandfather's oldest son, 
 married a Shirk, they had five daughters, one married 
 Charles Steinmetz, who came in possession of the old home- 
 stead. They had one son, Daniel, who was married, but 
 both died without an}'- children. One of the daughters 
 married Christian Weist, who occupied part of the original 
 tract of Svvarr's land, they had two sons, Jacob and Samuel. 
 Jacob married and operated the farm and for a time, was a 
 lover and breeder of thoroughbred cattle, sheep, swine and 
 poultry. He acquired a considerable estate. He and his 
 wife died without children. Dr. Samuel, the second son, 
 married a Miss Baer, they resided in the village of Shoe- 
 neck, here he enjoyed a lucrative medical practice for over 
 forty years, and he was noted as a horticulturist. He was 
 also engaged in packing of leaf tobacco. He acquired a 
 large estate. Before he died, he willed $10,000 dollars 
 towards the erection of a church edifice in Schoeneck. The 
 widow is still living. 
 
 Another of Uncle John's daughters married Michael 
 Bard, they had children, but have no record of them. The 
 fourth of Uncle John's daughters married Mr. Lutz, they 
 had sons and daughters, one of the daughters married 
 Henry Eberly, a well-to-do farmer and esteemed citizen, 
 
whose wife died about one j^ear ago. I have no further 
 record of the Lutz family. 
 
 Sally, the fifth daughter of Uncle John Swarr, married 
 John S. Gross, who w^as for many years owner and proprie- 
 tor of the Central Hotel in Ephrata. They had two sons, 
 who are now living, the oldest Martin, is married and has 
 a daughter married. The second son George is single, all 
 residents of Ephrata. My Uncle John died, March 9, 1821, 
 aged 52 years, his widow lived about forty years longer, 
 aged 90 years. 
 
 My Aunt Elizabeth Swarr, was twice married, her 
 first husband was Henry Neff, they had children, one a son 
 John, he removed to Philadelphia and became a prominent 
 citizen there. He is deceased, and left surviving him one 
 child a daughter, Matilda, who while single has acquired a 
 reputation for her musical proficiency. The second hus- 
 band of Aunt Elizabeth, was Jacob Kinch, they had two 
 sons, Joseph and Emanuel, the latter removed to the west 
 the rest of the family lived and died in East Hempfield 
 township. 
 
 Uncle Christian Swarr, a brother, was twice mar- 
 ried, first to Maria Yordy, they had children, one daughter 
 married George Kreider, a farmer in West Lampeter town- 
 ship. They had children, one son David married and 
 have children and a son Michael. A daughter married a 
 Herr, they had children, two daughters, one married to a 
 Mr. Burkholder of West Lampeter township, and the other 
 daughter is married to John L. Herr, a prominent farmer 
 and esteemed citizen of East Drumore township. The 
 other daughter of Christian Swarr, was married to Henry 
 Stamen, they had seven children, four sons. Christian, 
 who married a Miss Erb, and had one daughter when he 
 died ; Benjamin, married a Miss Buckwalter, they had a 
 son Henry and daughter Lizzie. The daughters, Eliza 
 married Mr. Brand ; Anna, married a Mr. Buckwalter, and 
 Maria married Henry Hottenstine, they had seven children 
 that lived to a mature age. Rev. Amos, married a Miss 
 Brand ; Henry, married Miss Harnish ; Philip, married 
 
8 
 
 Miss Miller ; Jacob, married Miss Metzler, they all have 
 children and are all much respected citizens of East Hemp- 
 field township. The daughters are, Mary, married Fred. 
 Koser; Kate, married a Harnish ; Lizzie, single, at home. 
 
 Uncle Christian's second wife was a widow, Rhode 
 nee Kauffman, they had one son, Rudolph and two 
 daughters. Rudolph Swarr married a Miss Sloat, they 
 had one child, a son Samuel, who is married and has chil- 
 dren, and resides in the northern part of Lancaster county. 
 The oldest daughter Fanny, married David Royer, and 
 Barbara, married Dr. Gabriel Groff, who w^as a prominent 
 citizen of Landisville, they left surviving them one son and 
 one daughter. Uncle Christian died 1844, aged 68. 
 
 Uncle Peter Swarr married Barbara Baker, they had 
 four sons and two daughters. Betzy, married George 
 Ganiber, they had children. John married Miss Martin, 
 they have children, of whom I have no record. Adam 
 married a Miss Wissler, I have no further record. Henry, 
 the oldest son, married Anna Shenk, they have sons of 
 whom they may well be proud, as being much respected 
 citizens. Fanny, the daughter, married Mr. Bender, they 
 reside near Rothsville, Lancaster county. Uncle Peter's 
 other daughter, Polly, married John Kauffman, who was a 
 farmer and highly respected citizen of East Hempfield 
 township. They had six children. Anna, married Henry 
 Gochnaur, they have sons and daughters. Mr. Gochnauer 
 leaves a widow survive. The family is much respected in 
 the neighborhood they reside in, East Hempfield. Betzy, 
 the youngest daughter, married William Evans, who was 
 a noted auctioneer of Lititz, where he carried on butchering 
 for a number of years, and was prominently engaged in the 
 coal and lumber business. They have children. Emanuel, 
 the oldest son of John Kauffman, married Miss Stauffer, 
 lived in Lititz, and enjoyed a lucrative trade in partnership 
 with Mr. Evans, his brother-in-law, at butchering and coal 
 and lumber. Jacob and John, sons of John Kauffman Sr. , 
 are residents of Lititz, but have no record. Amos, the 
 youngest son, married Fayetta Eberly. They were farming 
 
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and butchering and marketing, but removed to Lancaster, 
 engaging in grocery and provision business. They have 
 one son, Eugene Kauffman, who resides at Bird-in-Hand. 
 
 Peter Jr., one of Uncle Peter's Swarr sons, was mar- 
 ried to a Miss Brubaker, they lived at East Petersburg, 
 they had one son, Jefferson, who remained single and holds 
 forth in Lancaster cit3^ They had one daughter, Barbara. 
 She married John Markly, he enlisted in the Civil war 
 where be was captured by the rebels and was cast into 
 Libb}' prison, where he was nearly starved to death. He is 
 is now deceased. 
 
 Jacob, son of Uncle Peter Swarr, married Miss Gam- 
 ber, he carried on farming and hotel business also cattle and 
 horse dealing at Pennville, Lancaster county. They had 
 one son, Jacob Jr., w^ho married a Miss Kemper, daughter of 
 Levi Kemper, late proprietor of the Warwick House. They 
 had one son, Barton, who is a native of Philadelphia. 
 Jacob, son of Uncle Peter Swarr, had two daughters, Kate 
 and Poll}^ who married Henry Stauffer, who is deceased, 
 leaving a wife and several children survive. Kate was 
 married to Jacob Minick, he died soon after ; she was 
 afterwards married to Herman Graybill. She died soon 
 after. 
 
 Christian, another son of my Uncle Peter, married 
 Mary Frick. They had sons and daughters, and were en- 
 gaged in farming. The oldest son Henry enlisted in the 
 Union army in the Civil War, was wounded in battle and 
 died in camp. Their two daughters, Harriet and Maria, 
 both died single of typhoid fever, then known as Swarr' s 
 fever. Christian Jr., married a Heistand, his wife died; 
 they had children of whom I have no record. John, third 
 son of Christian, married Miss Bellinger, they have sons 
 and daughters. He is extensively engaged in farming and 
 is a much respected citizen of East Hempfield township. 
 Reuben, the youngest son, married Miss Shoop of Manor 
 township. He is a carpenter by occupation, living in 
 Chicago, 111. 
 
lO 
 
 John Swarr, the oldest son of Uncle Peter Swarr, 
 married Susan Frick, the^' had two sons and seven daugh- 
 ters. Eliza, the oldest daughter, married Henry Hershey, 
 they had one son named Adam, who married Miss Baer, 
 daughter of Jacob Baer, of near Rohrerstown, who was 
 noted in his time as manufacturer of the celebrated J. B. 
 whiskey. They have children and as a whole, it is a highly 
 respected famil}^ of Hast Hempfield Mary Ann, second 
 daughter, is single and lives with one of her sisters in Lan- 
 disville. Susan, third daughter, married Christian Hershey, 
 who was an extensive farmer and good citizen ; they had 
 children. Phares S. Hershey, now of Quarryville, married 
 Elmira Risser, they carried on farming prosperously as also 
 as also cattle feeding and stock raising. His wife died some 
 3-ears ago They have one son, Howard, who married 
 Miss Reinhart. One daughter, Gertrude, married Walter 
 Aument who is a coal and lumber dealer at Quarryyille. 
 Anna, youngest, is single. Rev. Harv^ey Hershe}' of Lan- 
 disville, is the youngest son of Christian. One of the 
 daughters, Ellen, married Samuel L. Nissle}^ the}^ were 
 engaged at farming in East Hempfield, afterwards removed 
 to East Drumore, where they followed the same work and 
 raised tobacco, but sold their farm and live retired at 
 Landisville. Susan, another daughter, married a New- 
 comer, they are farming in West Hempfield. I have no 
 further record of the family. Barbara married Christian 
 Miller, the}- are engaged in farming and own one of the 
 finest located farms along the Lancaster and Lititz pike 
 and trolley line. Martha married Daniel Forey from Manor 
 township, where they extensively engaged in farming. They 
 live retired in Lancaster. One of their daughters married 
 Rev. John Moseman. 
 
 Sarah, sixth daughter of John Swarr, married Henrj^ 
 Bowers, who was for a time, connected w4th several of his 
 brothers in the extensive distillery plant at Rohrerstown, 
 when he withdrew and went to farming and tobacco raising, 
 and for a time, was engaged in buying tobacco for the 
 packers. They have children of whom I have no account. 
 Fanny, the youngest, married B. Frank Heiss from near 
 
II 
 
 Columbia, where they largely engaged in, and raised 
 tobacco. He was a shrewed business manager. They have 
 children of whom I have no record. 
 
 Aaron, the youngest son of John Swarr (who was 
 my cousin) married Miss Minnick, from near Lititz, he 
 farmed on his father's farm, which he purchased afterward, 
 it being part of the looo acre grant to my great-grand- 
 father. Aaron was a very successful manager, they had 
 five children, three sons. Henry married Miss CaSvSel and 
 went to farming. Hiram is married and is in the employ 
 of the Spreckels extensive sugar refinery, of Philadelphia. 
 John Jr. is married, he was noted as a successful school 
 teacher. He is in the employ of the United States govern- 
 ment as railwa}^ mail clerk and is also elected school director 
 of East Hempfield township. Amanda, the oldest daughter 
 of Aaron Swarr, married Samuel Root ; he was farming. 
 They have no children. He rented his farms and removed 
 to Landisville, where he built a fine residence and ware- 
 house and has become largely engaged in packing leaf 
 tobacco. The second daughter of Aaron Swarr, Lizzie, 
 married Phares Baker, who was a noted school teacher of 
 East Hempfield and operated, at the same time, a large 
 farm and in connection, raised from lo to 12 acres of 
 tobacco. So by his integrity, he amassed quite a fortune. 
 He resides at Landisville, where he connected himself with 
 his brother-in-law, Mr. Root, and they are today, one of the 
 heaviest rural tobacco packing firms in the county. 
 
 Benjamin F. Swarr, the oldest son of my cousin, 
 John Swarr, and the oldest Swarr now living that we have 
 have any record of, is now 8t years old. He married Miss 
 Mary Lemmon. He was in the general store business at 
 Landisville and Salunga, associated with my brother M. M. 
 Swarr, they sold out about 1859. He went to farming and 
 and raising tobacco. They had children, the oldest son, 
 Lemmon, married a Miss Haverstick and lives near Colum- 
 bia ; Harvey, is married and is employed in the office of 
 Cramps Ship Yards, Philadelphia ; Frank, is a dentist 
 practicing in Lancaster city. 
 
12 
 
 The oldest daughter of Benjamin Swarr, Lillie, married 
 Herman Long, of East Hempfield, his father died and he 
 came into possession of his farm, which is one of the finest 
 in the township. Mr. Long is a progressive farmer, he 
 being one of the pioneer potato raisers, and by his shrewd 
 managment, attained not only a good reputation, but 
 amassed something for a rainy day. He now has a son to 
 farm and he, with his family, live retired in Landisville, 
 where B. F. Swarr, father of Mrs. Long, expects to pass 
 the remaining days alloted to him. The other daughter is 
 married to a professor, who is teaching school in New 
 York city. 
 
 Now We Will Start on My Grandfather's 
 
 Second Family. 
 
 My Grandfather John S\varr married grandmother 
 in 1785, they had five children. Maria, the oldest daugh- 
 ter, was born 1786, she married Jacob Bassler. Uncle died 
 1865, aunt, died 1878, aged 92 years. They had two sons 
 and two daughters, one of the daughters, Martha, married 
 Mr. Kauffman. They moved to Cumberland county, were 
 occupied in farming and raised a highly respected family of 
 sons and daughters. The other daughter married Daniel 
 Kreider, they too, followed farming. They both died 
 about middle age. They had two sons and three daughters, 
 two of them, Anna and Maria, married two Kauffman 
 brothers. Maria, married Isaac, they had sons and daugh- 
 ters. Lsaac died young and his wife soon after. 
 
 Anna, married Benjamin Kauffman, they have two 
 daughters and six sons. Rev. Hiram is a preacher in the 
 Mennonite church at Landisville and Salunga. Amos, is a 
 Deacon of the same denomination, at East Petersburg, and 
 the others, Benjamin, Daniel, Aaron and Reuben, are con- 
 sistent members of the same church. They all have their 
 own farms and are highly respected citizens of East Hemp- 
 field. Benjamin, the father, lives retired in East Peters- 
 burg and I think, the two daughters with him. 
 
13 
 
 Lizzie, married Abram Stauffer, of East Donegal, 
 where they own and operate a splendid farm. They have 
 a family of bo3^s and girls and are members of the Mennon- 
 ite church. 
 
 Daniel Kreider's son Daniel married Miss Grabill, 
 They were farming very successfully. The wife died some 
 years back and Mr. Kreider, died since 1909. They had one 
 son, Amos, and daughter Alice, who is single and kept 
 house for her father, who lived retired at East Petersburg. 
 She is an amicable lady. Amos, the son, is married and 
 operates one of his father's farms, and is a respected, un- 
 assuming citizen 
 
 Abraham Kreider (the second son of Daniel Kreider 
 Sr. and grandson of my Uncle Jacob Bassler) married Miss 
 Sallie Stauffer, daughter of the late Tobias Stauffer, coal 
 and lumber dealer and farmer, of Salunga, Lancaster 
 county. Mr. Kreider followed school teaching, both in 
 East and West Hempfield townships, for a number of years 
 and was for a time, connected with his father-in-law in the 
 manufacture, quite extensively, of cigars and raising 
 tobacco ; also, in packing leaf tobacco and of later years, 
 engaged in scrivening and conveyancing and civil engineer- 
 ing. I do not intend to describe the extent of his practice 
 in the last mentioned business, but am led to believe, that 
 by his ability and integrity, he has secured the confidence 
 and respect of those who know him, which is something 
 precious to enjoy. Mr. and Mrs. Kreider have one daugh- 
 ter, she is married, and with her husband resides in 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Magdai^ena, my aunt, father's youngest sister, was 
 born September 9, 1793. She married Samuel Pfautz. 
 They had four sons and two daughters. Martha married 
 a Shenk. They had two daughters, Matilda of whom I 
 lost trace, and Anna, the youngest, who grew to woman- 
 hood and was an amicable lady. She married Henry 
 Gamber, a much respected young man in whom, there was 
 no guile. They engaged in farming and had the pleasure 
 
14 
 
 of enjoying the high esteem of their neighbors. They had 
 children, especialh'-, I know they have sons of whom they 
 may well feel glad, and thankful to God from whom all 
 blessings flow. The parents of Mr. and Miss Gamber, are 
 both deceased. 
 
 The other daughter of my Uncle and Aunt Pfautz, 
 named Maria, married Martin Fry, whose business was 
 farming and distilling. They resided northeast of Hinkle- 
 town. The had sons and daughters, one of the girls, 
 Adaline, married Abram Wenger, who was a coach maker, 
 worked in Philadelphia and later worked in connection 
 with his brother Jacob, at Paradise, Lancaster, county. 
 They have children, daughters who are engaged in school 
 teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Fry had two younger daughters 
 and f jur sons, John, Albertus, Jefferson and Martin, and it 
 seems that all these sons had a strong propensity to go west. 
 After some counselling among themselves, the four sons, 
 mother and two daughters, went to Missouri, bought a 
 large tract of land and went to farming. They improved 
 their land, bought cattle, grazed them and soon became 
 large dealers in cattle and horses. Some of them got mar- 
 ried and have families, some died, and those living pros- 
 pered, are well doing and much respected citizens. 
 
 The four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Pfautz, grew to manhood 
 and all of them had an inclination to go West. John, the 
 oldest went to Lancaster county, Ohio, was not there very 
 long until he died (single). The others were noted for 
 their industrious habits. Jacob, lived at our house and 
 worked. Samuel learned the milling business. They were 
 gifted with comprehensive minds, and all seemed to enjoy 
 reading and talking about the far West, and could explain 
 and reason as though they had seen it, before they ever 
 were out of Lancaster county. 
 
 Samuel came to our house in the spring of 1847, soon 
 after, my father and mother had died of typhoid fever, then 
 called Swarr's fever. Samuel Pfautz took it also, but soon 
 got well, when the three Pfautz brothers, Martin, Samuel 
 
15 
 
 and Jacob, started for the West. When they got to Lan- 
 caster to take the train, they met Joseph Retzer, then a 
 young man, and also William and Thomas Pusey from 
 Drumore township, Lancaster count}-. These six young 
 men started for the West and went to the neighborhood of 
 Lisbon, Iowa, where they spent the winter. The Pfautz 
 boys worked at coopering, making flour barrels. During 
 the winter months they would get together and have their 
 fun and talk about the gold mines of California, as at that 
 time the gold fever ran very high. Five of them, the three 
 Pfautzes and the two Puseys, arranged with some others, 
 to emigrate across the continent. They had teams to take 
 provisions on the trip, but I do not remember how long 
 they were on the way. They got there, some of them 
 working for themselves and some for wages, as wages were 
 very high as well as every thing else. I was told, it was 
 very dangerous when one worked at digging and found 
 gold, you were in danger of being robbed. It was full of 
 men working in the mines, and when you had gold there 
 was danger to have it in the pocket and equally so, to bury 
 it in the ground, for fear some one else would find it while 
 digging. To take it to San Francisco, the fare from the 
 mines and return, was sixty-five dollars. 
 
 Some of the Pfautzes came back well off, but I do not 
 known how^ much they had when they left the diggings. 
 Martin started to come to Pennsylvania, but came as far as 
 Ohio, where he took sick and died. Samuel and Jacob 
 started later, Jacob coming on to Lancaster county. I met 
 him soon after his arrival in Lancaster city, when he told 
 me, that he received a letter, the day before he left Cali- 
 fornia, which I had written to him over a month before. I 
 think, he told me he had to pay 65 cents postage. My 
 cousin Samuel, came back as far as Iowa, where he re- 
 mained and got married. They had children, one a daugh- 
 ter. Miss Anna, who, after her father had died, came to 
 Pennsylvania to visit relatives of her father. She came to 
 our house an entire stranger, but not long, for a person en- 
 dowed with so much intelligence and possessing such a 
 comprehensive mind, will readily become acquainted. I 
 
i6 
 
 am sorry I am not able to give the maiden name of cousin 
 Samuel Pfautz's wife, as it is a credit to be blest with a 
 family of children, that bring sunshine wherever they go, 
 aad create happy feelings and good wishes. 
 
 My Uncle Jacob Swarr, was born November ii, 
 .1790, Samuel, a twin brother died young. Jacob married 
 Anna Behm, daughter of Jacob Behm, a prominent farmer 
 of Londonderry, Lebanon county, on Septemper 15, 1818. 
 The}^ had three children, Anna M., born September 9, 1819 ; 
 Hiram B., born March 9, 1821, and Elizabeth A., born 
 June 12, 1828. Anna M., died November 13, 1822 ; aged 
 3 years, 2 months and 4 days. Elizabeth A , died August 
 25 » 1833 ; aged 5 years, 2 months and 13 daj's. Uncle 
 Jacob died in Campbellstown, Londonderry township, 
 Lebanon county, September 11, 1828, aged 37 3'ears and 8 
 months, and was buried in the Union Lutheran and Re- 
 formed grave yard, connected with the church at Camp- 
 bellstown. The young daughters are also buried there and 
 his wife Anna, who was 82 years old. 
 
 The son of Jacob Hiram B. Sw^arr, deceased, who was 
 a prominent lawyer of Lancaster, married Frances Osborne 
 Toby, daughter of Simeon and Sarah Elliott Toby, Decem- 
 ber 16, 1S47. The}^ had three children that are still living, 
 Charles Jacob, who married a Miss Schroder, they reside in 
 the residence at the north-west corner of East King and 
 Ann streets, Lancaster cit}-. He is extensively engaged in 
 the coal business. Sallie Elliott, oldest daughter of H. B. 
 Swarr, was married to Rev. Ellis N. Kremer. The}' are 
 residents of Harrisburg, where he has held a pastoral charge, 
 for quite a number of years and are held in high esteem. 
 Mary Brooks Swarr married Rev. B. F. Bausman, pastor in 
 charge of the Reformed church in Shepherdstown, West 
 Virginia. They have a host of friends wherever they are 
 known. 
 
 Martin Swarr, my father, was born October 25, 
 1788. He was twice married, his first wife was a Miss 
 Hei.stand. They had two children, John H. and Martha 
 

 The author, Mr. John M. Swarr, was one of the subscribers to the 
 original stock for the Millersville School. 
 
17 
 
 H. Swarr. The daughter, Martha, married Jacob Bassler, 
 a farmer of Manheim township, where they lived and 
 operated the farm very successfully. He w^as noted as an 
 extensive cattle feeder, and was a shrewd business manager 
 and an active and useful man in the affairs of the township, 
 acting in the capacity of school director. He was unassum- 
 ing and a much respected citizen. They had one son, John 
 S. and a daughter, Anna S. The daughter married Samuel 
 R. Landis, a farmer, and for a number of years, lived on 
 the farm where Mr. Landis was raised, which he operated 
 very profitably. Having no children, they concluded to 
 rent the big farm and purchase a small farm, of about 17 
 acres, in Manheim township, along the Lititz pike at the 
 intersection of the Lancaster and Oregon turnpike, close to 
 the city limits, where thev have a very pleasant home and 
 a place where many love to spend some time, in the enjoy- 
 ment of there hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Landis are much 
 respected citizens. 
 
 John S. Bassler, the son, married Miss Harriet Royer, 
 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Royer. They operated 
 the large farm, where Mr. Bassler was born and raised in 
 Manheim township, for a number of years, when he con- 
 cluded to divide the farm. He had new farm buildings 
 erected on one end of the farm, with modern improvements, • 
 where he moved and made toils and cares more easy, and 
 had a man on the other farm to operate. Mr. Bassler is a 
 good business manager and like his father, made and knew 
 how to save mone}'. They have one son Harry, and one 
 daughter Anna. The son married Miss Cassel and started 
 farming, the parents purchasing a fine home on North 
 Lime street, Lancaster city, where they live retired and 
 are well contented without meddling with other people's 
 business. Their daughter Anna married Mr. Snyder, a 
 druggist of Lancaster city, who purchased w^hat was, at one 
 time, know as the McGrann house on North Queen street, 
 where he carried on a very lucrative drug trade. Mr. Sny- 
 der died and left surviving him, a widow and some chidren. 
 She resides in the city. 
 
i8 
 
 John H. Swarr, my half brother, was born 1818, died 
 1886, aged 68 3'ears. He married Elizabeth Pifer. My 
 father bought a farm, in Manheim township, of 175 acres, 
 where he started brother John at farming He operated the 
 farm on shares, and got along successfully. They had six 
 sons and one daughter named Lizzie Ann, who married 
 David H. Gochnauer of East Petersburg, where he was en- 
 gaged in general merchandise business. He then erected 
 a magnificent dwelling, warehouse and implement shedding 
 and started an implement and fertilizer business. He now 
 is engaged by the International Harvester Company as 
 general agent and proves the right man in the right place. 
 They have boys and girls some are grown and all are in- 
 dustrious and well doing. 
 
 The oldest son of John H. Swarr, Phares P., married 
 Miss Amanda Minick, of near Lititz. They started farming 
 on one of his farther' s farms, it being part of the original 
 1000 acres owned by my great-grandfather, he managed 
 well and made money and bought the farm from his father, 
 at ^200 an acre (who did not think he was to pa^^ any 
 money out on it) and on the first of April, he told his father 
 he wants to give him some money, the father said he had 
 no place for it. The father took the mone}', two thousand 
 dollars, and deposited it in an individual bank in Lancaster 
 and soon after the institution closed its doors, he losing 
 nearly all. Phares P. and wife have one daughter, she 
 married Milton Forney, who, since their marriage, was 
 ordained to the ministry of the German Baptist congrega- 
 tion, in which capacity he is an ardent worker. He 
 operates his father-in-law's farm, they living together and 
 have a cheerful happy home abounding in hospitality. 
 
 Martin, the second son of my brother John H. Swarr, 
 married Miss Maria Landis, daughter of the late Rev. John 
 Landis, of Hast Hempfield. He purchased his father's 
 farm for $200 an acre, which was the old homestead where 
 I was born, where my father was born, and was the home of 
 my grandfather. On it stands, what is supposed to be the 
 first brick house in that section and is still in good condition. 
 
19 
 
 It is supposed that this mansion was built, in time of the 
 revolution, when Swarr's large brick mill was erected 
 on Swarr's Run, and another large brick house, correspond- 
 ing in size and style with the other, had been erected on 
 Swarr's grant along the mill race, between the mill and the 
 first brick house mentioned, which was occupied and owned 
 by a son-in-law of Swarr. They had Hessian prisioners 
 emplo3'ed, whom they secured from the barracks at Lancaster 
 (who were skilled workmen) in the erection of the build- 
 ings. Martin P. Swarr and wife are both deceased. They 
 had four children, who are still living and of mature age. 
 The daughter, Saloam, married a Mr. Aungst, who is now 
 deceased and left surviving a widow and some children. 
 The oldest of the sons, Milton L., married a Miss Cassel. 
 He purchased his father's farm, w^hich is not only part of 
 his grandfathers farm, but of his great-great-great-grand- 
 father's. This is the home where I was born and many of 
 my boyhood recollections endear this home to me. 
 
 Milton Swarr and wife are hand in hand in their voca- 
 tion, sociall}'- and religiously, and a passing glance at the 
 farm will divulge to the observer, the motto, that what is 
 worth doing at all is worth doing right. He is a successful 
 tobacco raiser and cattle feeder, and an ardent admirer of 
 good horses. It seems a natural propensity among the 
 Swarrs to have good horses. 
 
 Harry L., brother of Milton, is married and bought a 
 fine home in Landisville, where he is raising tobacco and I 
 think somewhat engaged in packing. He also has that 
 love for fine driving horses and has the reputation of being 
 a good judge and a skilled driver. 
 
 Martin L., 3'Oungest brother of Milton, is single and 
 has his home with Milton, working on the farm. He is a 
 prudent and very industrious young man, having the 
 natural ability to please and entertain pleasanth^ the old 
 and the young. 
 
 Hiram P. Swarr. third son of John H., married Miss 
 Wissler, the father erected a splendid set of farm buildings 
 on one end of the old homestead farm and added 65 acres to 
 
20 
 
 the new buildings for Hiram, who operated the farm. They 
 had three sons, John, Hiram Jr. and Jacob, and one daugh- 
 ter, Lizzie. When the boys grew up, they concluded to get 
 more land, and sold his East Hempfield township farm for 
 $211 dollars an acre, and purchased a farm of 114 acres in 
 East Drumore township, near Mechanic's Grove, Lancaster 
 county, where he made some improvements and has one of 
 the finest farms in that section. After they lived some 
 years in the southern end of the county, he purchased 
 another farm adjoining on which the oldest son, Rev John 
 now resides. John married Miss Anna Shaub and was or- 
 dained to the ministry of the Old Mennonite congregation, 
 at Mechanics Grove Church. He no doubt keenly feels 
 his high calling and the responsibility with which he is in- 
 volved. God be with him. The}' have two children, 
 Mary and John Jr. 
 
 Hiram Jr. married Miss Ida Rintz, and is extensively 
 engaged in farming, on the Ross A. McConson farm, in 
 East Drumore township. He is very industrious and hon- 
 est, is well rewarded for his labor and makes good interest 
 for his landlord's investment. They have two children, a 
 daughter, Mildred and son, Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram 
 Swarr are much respected and are given to hospitality. 
 Jacob's 3'Oungest son and daughter Lizzie are single, at 
 home, and are truly a joy and blessing to the parents. They 
 are all members of the Mennonite Church and much 
 respected. 
 
 John Jr., fourth son of John H. Swarr, married a Miss 
 Widmyer and are much respected citizens of Manheim 
 borough. They have children, some are engaged in teach- 
 ing school. I have lost trace, in part, of the family, but I 
 have the assurance that they are devoted members of their 
 church and Sunday school. 
 
 Menno P., fifth son of John H., married Miss Jane 
 Matter, they have children, sons and daughters. They 
 reside at East Petersburg, where he is the owner of a fine 
 
21 
 
 farm, which he operates ver}' successfully and has the 
 reputation for raising fine tobacco, and there is every indi- 
 cation of good management. 
 
 Ruben, the sixth and youngest son of John H., mar- 
 ried a Miss Risser from Donegal township, who is now 
 deceased. Surviving her is the husband and oue son, 
 Reuben Jr., and one daughter, Mabel, who is a trained 
 nurse. The senior member of the family is engaged pack- 
 ing leaf tobacco at Landisville, Lancaster caunty, and has 
 the reputation of putting up the finest packings. I think 
 the son is engaged with the father. They are respected 
 citizens. 
 
 My father Martin Swarr, was born 1788, and was a 
 son of John Swarr, born 1740, who was a son of Peter 
 Swarr, who was born 1690, near the city of Strasburg, 
 Alsace Province, France. He married Adaline Blooming, 
 who was a native of the city of Strasburg. They left 
 France on account of the persecutions waged against the 
 protectants, himself and family being Huguenots. They 
 emigrated for America, in 17 15, and landed at Philadelphia 
 in the spring of 17 16, but they left for the interior, arriving 
 at what is now Lancaster city. He secured a land grant 
 just one and one-half miles west, where he erected build- 
 ings and had a fine farm, but soon after their arrival, he 
 got a grant of 1000 acres, about three and one-half miles 
 farther northwest, on the north side of the kings highway, 
 along what was known as Swarr' s Run, where Christian, 
 Peter, Martin and Jacob, had their farms, all grand-sons of 
 Peter the founder of the family in this country. 
 
 Martin, my father, occupied the farm where grand- 
 father liv^ed and died at the advanced age of 87, grand- 
 mother also died there, at the age of 90. My father 
 died there at the age of 58, and my mother 48. My 
 parents died at a time, that I think they were most 
 needed, it was a time when the older ones were look- 
 ing forward for the future issues of life, and when a 
 parent's counsel might be very acceptable and profitable. 
 
22 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, the}^ died and the family had to 
 be parted. My oldest sister, Anna, was 20 years old and 
 the youngest was 10 years old, my youngest brother was 12. 
 My half sister, w^ho was married to Jacob Bassler and were 
 farming, took the two youngest and provided for them, 
 they worked and went to the district school. M3' brother 
 Amos got along w^ell in school and went several sessions to 
 White Hall Academy, in Cumberland county, then he 
 taught school several sessions. When the Millersville 
 Normal was started, he went there for several seasons and 
 from there he went to Andover University, of Mass., where 
 he studied law. He then located in Rochester, New York, 
 where he was pursuing his law studies, when he took 
 tj^phoid fever (the same disease which was called Swarr's 
 fever) and died. He was a bright scholar and had the 
 reputation of being a good orator. 
 
 My youngest sister, Susan, remained with her step or 
 half sister until she was growm, when she got sick of scro- 
 fula and was in misery, having sore eyes at times, that she 
 could not bear any light. She would have sore throat that 
 she almost choked, and the doctors here could not help her 
 case, so concluded, she should go to Danville, New York, 
 to take the water cure. She stayed there and took treat- 
 ment for several years, when she recovered, got fresh and 
 hearty, and married Rolandus Houck. They then moved 
 near Winchester, Virginia, where they farmed for over 25 
 years. They then rented the farm and bought a propert}^ 
 in Winchester and lived retired. She died there. Mr. 
 Houck intends to spend his remaining day in the South. 
 
 Anna, my oldest sister, married Joel Wenger of West 
 Earl township, where they were engaged in farming. Mr. 
 Wenger was a good farmer, but he had learned milling, 
 which occupation he seemed to like better. He sold the 
 farm and purchased Wolf's large new mill, at Brownstown, 
 and at once put in the latest improved machinery, which 
 made it one of the best mills in the county. He had a good 
 demand for his flour and had a ver}^ large home trade. Mr. 
 Wenger and his wife are both deceased. They had chil- 
 
23 
 
 dren, those living are one son, Clayton S. Wenger, who 
 came into the possession of the mill, which is principally 
 used for an electrical plant to light Brownstown and drive 
 machinery. Clayton married Miss Landis, daughter of the 
 late Jacob Landis of Millersville, and sister of Hon. John 
 H. Landis, superintendent of the United States Mint of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Lizzie, the oldest daughter of Joel and Anna Wenger, 
 married i\mos Stauffer of East Lampeter tow^nship, w^here 
 he owns one of the best farms in the township, the build- 
 ings throughout are fine. He has the farm rented and 
 lives with his wife and two single daughters, who are 
 amicable 3^oung ladies, in a fine home, retired and enjoys 
 the comforts of modern conveniences Their friends, who 
 are many, are glad to meet in that home to share their 
 hospitality. Mr. Stauffer has one son John, w^ho married 
 Miss Herr, daughter of C. R. Herr, and operates the farms 
 of Mr. Herr, which are located in West Lampeter township. 
 He is industrious and a very successful farmer and good 
 citizen ; the}^ have a fine home and the family is worthy 
 of the comforts it affords. 
 
 The second daughter of Joel Wenger, Sue, married 
 Clarence Lichty, of Lancaster city. He was engaged in 
 teaching for a number of years, but of late 3^ears had been 
 in the insurance business, in which occupation he appears 
 very successful. The}^ have one daughter living by name 
 Blanche, she married a Mr. Snavel}- a very interesting man 
 and son of Benjamin and Anna (Herr) Suavely, now retired 
 farmers of Lancaster city. 
 
 Alice, the youngest daughter of Joel and Anna (Swarr) 
 Wenger, has her home in part with her sister, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Lichty, Lancaster. She is single and is noted as a 
 first class seamstress, and is often called into families to do 
 sewing at fine work ; and she is sure to bring sunshine with 
 her wherever she goes. She has many kind friends and is 
 much respected. 
 
24 
 
 David Swarr, my oldest full brother, was working 
 on the farm till he was eighteen years old, when he entered 
 the employ of John Stauffer, in a general merchandise 
 store at Petersburg ; from whence he got a situation in 
 in Philadephia, with Anspach, Jacoby & Compan}^ whole- 
 sale dry goods, on southwest corner of Third and Cherry 
 streets, where his wages were $400 the first year. The}- 
 increased his wages from time to time and had him to do a 
 great deal of traveling in the south and west, his wages 
 then were $1000 a year and expenses. When it seemed 
 that the business was remunerative, the senior partner of 
 the firm and owner of the property (that is the building) 
 wished to retire, and they asked my brother to become a 
 partner in the firm, his salar}' to go on at $rooo a 3'ear. 
 He told me that they offered him such a good chance, but 
 he would have to borrow money, he not having enough 
 capital. I told him I would not trust, but he thought it 
 was a good thing and put all his own money in and bor- 
 rowed thousands more and put in the firm, then the con- 
 cern broke and he lost all his money. He then went to 
 New York, where he w^s in the emplo}^ of Teft, Griswold 
 8l Company, when one of the firm begged him to go 
 partner in a big scheme. When the other member died, as 
 he intended to use the firm's money and pay it back soon, 
 but the death spoiled that arrangement. I had to suffer, but 
 I do not blame him of being dishonest. 
 
 Martin Jr., my next oldest brother, worked on the 
 farm till he was seventeen years old, when he took the 
 apprenticeship for a carpenter. He served his term and 
 worked journeyman for some time, when he, with our 
 cousin B. F. Swarr, started in the mercantile business at 
 Landisville, under the firm name of M. M. &. B. F. Swarr. 
 They did a good business for some years, when they sold 
 out and started the business at Salunga, where they had a 
 good trade, but my brother thought he could do better b}^ 
 going to Philadelphia, and as they had a good chance to 
 sell, they did so. When he got to the city, he found it 
 was not so easy for a man of his age and experience, to 
 jump into a good thing. He stayed at the Eagle Hotel, 
 
25 
 
 227 North 3rd street, where he was offered his board if he 
 would help serve the table, which he did. lu a short time, 
 they wanted him to go into the office and assist there, when 
 finally, they had him attending to it alone, also, turning 
 over to him the superintendency of the house ; he getting 
 $100 a month, board and washing. He remained at that 
 place over fifteen 3'ears, the proprietorship changing two or 
 three times, while he was there, he being retained b}^ the 
 new pSLTty. He then got married and bought the good will 
 and fixtures of the Great Western Hotel, on Market street. 
 After starting business and having put his money in it, he 
 found his title to the place was no good, which was a big 
 loss to him. As his reputation was good, he was employed 
 by Israel Johns an old Quaker, w'ho had a real estate and 
 collection agency, who entrusted him with the whole busi- 
 ness, he remaining there about eighteen years, when the 
 old man died. He had a will made and had two executors 
 appointed, who found there were some important trusts 
 that could not well be closed out at once, so they retained 
 my brother, as he was acquainted with the business and 
 knew everj'thing in the office, to close out the business and 
 file an account, which he did creditably, it taking over two 
 years. M}^ brother Martin and his wife live on the north- 
 east corner of Tenth and Pine streets, aged nearly 80 years. 
 They never bad any children. 
 
 My father Martin Swarr, married his second wife, my 
 mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mellinger, 
 daughter of David Mellinger, of Manor township. They 
 lived on the old homestead farm, where my father was born ; 
 to them being born four sons and two daughters, that 
 lived to a mature age. My father took sick and died in a 
 short time, on February 5, 1847, aged 58 years, 3 months 
 and 10 days ; mother took sick and died March 3, 1847, 
 aged 48 years. The doctors that were attending them, 
 were John Atlee, Lancaster ; John Ream, Hempfield, and 
 Samuel Parker, Petersburg ; they were puzzled to give the 
 sickness a name, when it took the name of Swarr' s Fever, 
 but soon afterwards they pronounced it typhoid. When I 
 had the same fever, about nine years afterwards, Mr. 
 
26 
 
 Parker told me, that they did not know what to name it 
 when my parents died of it ; at that time there were eleven 
 of the Swarrs sick at one time. I was surprised about six 
 months ago, when P. McManus the railroad contractor, 
 asked me if I am one of the Swarrs that had Swarr's fever, 
 as he, being a boy at that time, was visiting at his uncle, 
 John McGovern, who was a friend of my father. That is 
 now, over sixty years ago, but I have met before with old 
 people, who asked the same question. M3' father was a 
 person that was well known, he was tall and weighed about 
 "250 pounds, his face seemed to be the very bloom of health, 
 and when he was sick, the doctors said that a person of 
 his build is hard to pull through. 
 
 My father was much engaged awa}^ from home, he 
 having many estates to settle. He took a great interest in 
 having the free school system established and to employ 
 good teachers ; I know that he worked to have able men as 
 teachers, who were not willing to work for the wages. He 
 offered to board them free of charge and in that way, pro- 
 cured some of the ver}^ best teachers. I think. East 
 Hempfield township, was one among the first to have free 
 schools, and I think, to-day, it ranks as one of the best in 
 the county. 
 
 From my boyhood recollections, I am led to think 
 that he had science, as I know, by him being taken into 
 counsel b}' the neighbors, and by the manner we bo3's were 
 trained. There was a place for each thing and each thing 
 was to be in its place, when not in use. When we boys 
 went to bed, each was to have his place for his hat and 
 coat, for his shoes or boots, so that when we were called 
 in the morning, there was no hunting for our clothes or 
 shoes, and the lantern was at its place, so that we were not 
 long in getting to the barn. We used to fatten 2 stables 
 of cattle, one stable of cow\s, and one of young cattle, we 
 also, had one stable of horses and often had colts. It re- 
 quired not much questioning, as each of us knew what he 
 was to do, one went to feed and clean the horses and two 
 went for the steers, one cleaned the troughs and the other 
 
27 
 
 gave in short feed, then went to the next stable until we 
 .were through, after which, we had to bed the stables before 
 the cattle would lay down ; we never forgetting to have the 
 straw in the stable the evening before ; if there were any 
 of the cattle that refused to eat, we well knew it was our 
 duty to report. We were not allowed to go over the week 
 without greasing our boots or shoes, or wearing them when 
 they got holes, as we were to keep our feet dry and shoes 
 soft. It makes me think of it when I see boys or men hav- 
 hard or red worn shoes on and since I am farming, I have a 
 grease pan with a brush in it and many times greased the 
 shoes for my workmen. 
 
 I w^as fourteen years old when my parents died and then 
 I had to go among strangers, who were all very kind to me, 
 I working for my board the first summer and went to the 
 district school in the winter. I had a guardian, who never 
 looked after me. He being well off, and having no children 
 of his own, appeared to think I was able to take care of my- 
 self, which I did after a kind; but it was at a time, when it 
 is important that a boy of that age should have some good 
 counsellor, that would take an interest in his future welfare. 
 I always had plenty of kind friends, but being in a neigh- 
 borhood where I was a stranger, I got into company that 
 was older than I, who had their own teams and would take 
 me to church or places of amusement, and especially, would 
 they like to go along with me to visit my relatives, in 
 order to become acquainted in that section, which was 
 about twelve miles away. It was not long, until I wanted 
 my own team, and had one of the best ; I having some 
 horse pride, studied the horse and his ailments and acquired 
 some knowledge of medicine. I soon got in with horse 
 dealers and somehow, got the reputation of being a good 
 judge of horses and hadn't much trouble to sell a horse to 
 men, who did not trust their own judgment. I became 
 skilled in driving for speed and was offered big wages to 
 drive fast horses and train them, but did not accept them. 
 
 I was asked by different men of business, to deal for 
 the half profit, they to furnish the money. One farmer 
 
28 
 
 told me to buy grain, or anything I thought there was 
 money in, so I bought looo bushels of corn, which I very 
 soon sold for $50 profit. He got so wild, that he offered to 
 deposit $2000 in bank at my disposal, saying I should deal 
 with it and give him half the profit. I refused. These 
 people were especially kind friends, but the inducements 
 held out to me, were not good for a young person, and 
 thanks to God, that I was able to resist. 
 
 I went to Ohio with a man that brought a drove of 
 cattle in, as he was a farmer and I had a desire to see the 
 countr}'. I helped to thrash, cut wood, spread manure and 
 cut off corn ; we drove through the country, he wanting to 
 go partner with me to buy cattle and horses and bring them 
 east to sell, but I did not take the offer as he would have 
 wanted me to liv^e out there. I gathered a lot of horses 
 and his brother-in-law came along, we coming on horse- 
 back over the Allegheny mountains, which was a tiresome 
 trip, being about four hundred miles. I sold the horses and 
 went to an academy a few months to brighten up the limited 
 education I did have. When a school teacher, at Roseville, 
 Manheim township, resigned, the directors got at me to 
 take that school, as they had some money that was donated to 
 the house, before the public school system was inaugurated 
 in the township, but they had no authority to use it in the 
 general school fund. It was decided, I should teach long 
 enough to exhaust that money, so I had that much expe- 
 rience in teaching. I worked on the farm in the summer 
 and was clerking in a store awhile, and in the fall of 1854, I 
 purchased the store and hotel property at Bareville, three 
 miles west of New Holland, in Upper Leacock township, 
 where I took possession at once. I then got married to 
 Miss Maria Groff, daughter of Levi B. Groff. I did a 
 good business, but the hotel part of the trade, I did not 
 like and it being the best paying part and as the propertj^ 
 was most too high priced to abandon it, I concluded to sell. 
 I then purchased a farm of 40 acres, at $194 an acre. 
 
 After some years there was a farm for sale of 114 acres, 
 which was part of the 1000 acre grant to my great-grand- 
 
29 
 
 father and adjoining the old homestead, where my brother 
 lived and owned. My brother did not know that they 
 wanted to sell, I told him and begged him to buy it. He 
 said, he would like to have it, but he had no need for it 
 yet. I then told him some other person would buy it and 
 that he should go with me to the man that owned it, who 
 lived about fifteen miles away. When we got to the place 
 and found that he could buy it, he said, he would buy, if I 
 promised to farm it ; I sold my small farm and moved on 
 his. My brother made the remark, that he did not w^ant 
 the farm and when it was found out by the neighbors, 
 several came the next day, after he was at home, and 
 offered to give $1000 profit. I farmed that place for him 
 seven years, without a scratch of writing, giving him $100 
 grass rent and half of the grain and made money for him 
 and myself, then my wife's uncle, B. B. Groff, near Bird- 
 in-Hand, East Lampeter township, told me if I promised to 
 move on his farm, he would put up a new house for him- 
 self and retire. I told m}^ brother, he said, I needn't go 
 awaj^ but he would not keep me from taking that offer, as 
 it was an extra good farm, so I went on that place without 
 any written article and made money. 
 
 The fever for going to the South, soon after the Civil 
 War, ran high and I concluded to go and see it, but as soon 
 as it was reported that I was going to stop farming, I got 
 word from East Hempfield township, my native place, from 
 a man that had purchased a farm and had no one to move 
 on it, but wished to operate the tw^o farms himself. It 
 was a very fine home and I went there without a written 
 article ; I farmed some tobacco, worked for the man by the 
 day and liked it so well, that I was well satisfied without go- 
 ing South. During that summer, a neighbor farmer came 
 and w^anted me to take his farm, that was adjoining where 
 I lived. His father-in-law wanted him to come on his place, 
 which joined the place, where I lived on the opposite side, 
 so it was handy for me to move. I promised to take that 
 farm and in the spring moved on without any writing 
 whatever ; was there seven years and never had any differ- 
 ences. 
 
30 
 
 In the mean time, I got somwhat acquainted in the 
 southern end of the count}', where I now live and expect to 
 remain. It was about the year of 1883 or '84, I got to 
 know anything of southern Lancaster county, when a friend 
 of mine said he would like me to go with him to Quarry- 
 ville and a few miles beyond, where he had a farm and 
 intended to build a pig sty and wanted some one to assist in 
 the selection of a site and style. I promised and we set a 
 day to make the trip, my friend writing to his friend, James 
 Collins, who lived on an adjoining farm, that we were coming 
 on a certain day and that he would like to meet Mr. Collins 
 on the farm, as Mr. Collins was superintending in part. 
 Mr. Collins kindly invited his father, Thomas Collins, 
 along to meet us, which w^as indeed a very social meeting. 
 They were not entire strangers in the northern end of the 
 county, the elder Collins having been county commissioner. 
 They were able to give very intelligent information, that, 
 together with my own observation, I came to the conclu- 
 sion, that it was worth a man's time to become more 
 acquainted with the country. I then, made it my business 
 to get to gatherings, such as public sales, where I could 
 meet different people and must say, that I was very favor- 
 ably surprised, and am proud to say, that I believe, that 
 the Scotch-Irish are as social and intelligent, as any other 
 nationality, anywhere. 
 
 I purchased several different farms and small properties, 
 but never with any craving to get rich fast and hoard up 
 money. My motto always was, not to let property decrease 
 in value, live and let live and do to others as I would have 
 others do to me. We had one son, Levi and two daughters, 
 the oldest named Lizzie, who married Samuel C. Baer, son 
 of Henry M. and Fanny (Kauffman) Baer, of East Hemp- 
 field township. Mr. Baer, onr son-in-law, taught school in 
 East Hempfield when single and after he was married and 
 lived at Mechanics Grove, he was teaching in the Drumores 
 and Quarry ville, in all, he taught about twenty sessions. 
 
 During the summer, he worked on the farm and raised 
 tobacco, for which he acquired a good reputation, as well 
 
31 
 
 as for teaching. He always had very good luck, or per- 
 haps I should call it pluck, in raising plants and getting 
 them well started. He sold his property at Mechanics 
 Grove and built at Quarryville, where he manufactured 
 cigars and raised tobacco, and also was Justice of the Peace. 
 When the low grade railroad was started to be built, he 
 was employed by the John Shields Construction Company, 
 as time keeper, but soon was assigned paymaster and had 
 full charge of the office and in connection, they engaged 
 his daughter, Anna, to assist him as typewritter and steno- 
 grapher. When that w^ork was finished, P. McManus en- 
 gaged Mr. Bare on a railroad job, at Winbur, Somerset 
 county, when that work was finished, he was sent to the 
 Philadalphia office and then, when the}' got a contract at 
 Parkesburg, Pa. , he acted as time keeper, also doing the 
 office work. When that was done, Mr. McManus engaged 
 him to superintend his farms at Pomeroy. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Baer have one son, Charles Chester, who is a druggist, 
 he married Miss Mable Coulter of Bartville. They live in 
 Oxford, Chester county, where Mr. Baer is engaged in the 
 drug business and enjo^'s quite a large patronage and have 
 a host of friends. 
 
 The Baers have two daughters, the oldest Anna, mar- 
 ried James T. S. Shaub, of Lancaster city, who is engaged 
 at electrical work by the Bell Telephone Company, with 
 headquarters at Scranton, Lackawanna county, Pa. 
 
 Edna, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Baer, is 
 
 single and is at home with her parents, at Pomeroy, Chester 
 count}' and is attending the Stevens High School, at Lan- 
 caster, where she enjoys the reputation of a bright scholar 
 and manifests quite a talent for music. 
 
 Mary, youngest daughter of J. M. and Maria Swarr, 
 married J. R. L. Acheson, son of the late Charles and 
 Lucinda (Kyle) Acheson, of Mechanics Grove, Lancaster 
 county, where he was engaged in general merchandising 
 for a time. When his parents were deceased, he engaged 
 in farming and tobacco raising and when they settled up 
 
32 
 
 the estate and sold the farm, they moved to Phiadelphia, 
 he taking a position as conductor on the street car hne. 
 Then his wife took sick and died, left surviving her hus- 
 band and one daughter, Anna, who was eleven years old 
 when her mother died ; the mother was buried at Quarry- 
 ville cemetery, Lancaster county, where they have four 
 children buried, who died when quite young. Mr. Acheson 
 is engaged principally, since the death of his wife, as assis- 
 tant superintendent on railroad work. He was working in 
 Canada for a time, and now he is on a job at Jerse}^ City. 
 
 His daughter Anna is a student in the graduating class 
 of the State Normal School, at Millersville, where she has 
 w^on laurels. She had the honor of christening the new 
 Low Grade Division of the Pennsjdvania Railroad at it com- 
 pletion. She has her home with her grand-parents, J. M. 
 Swarr, at Mechanics Grove. 
 
 Levi Swarr, son of J. M., is married to Mar}^ Shenk, 
 daughter of Rev. Tobias Shenk, of East Hempfield town- 
 ship. They have three daughters, Katie, who married 
 Dallas R. Bomberger, of Fulton township and who are 
 much respected ; Annie and Lizzie, both single and living 
 with their parents, to whom they are a blessing and are 
 much esteemed. Levi Swarr is operating his father's farm 
 successfully and is a much respected citizen. He purchased 
 a fine home from his father, but does not intend to occupy 
 it himself for the present. 
 
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