Biography - Daniel P. Swallow
DANIEL P. SWALLOW, a wealthy, retired farmer, residing at Sheibyville,
Shelby County, has materially assisted in advancing the prosperity and high
standing of this county as a great agricultural centre, and he still
possesses valuable and extensive farming interests in this part of the
State. A native of Hamilton County, Ohio, Mr. Swallow was born March 1,
1838, in the pioneer home of Jacob and Keturah (Crane) Swallow. His father
was born in New Jersey, and when he was young his parents removed from there
to Hamilton County, Ohio, and were among its early settlers, the grandfather
of our subject, who was a farmer, dying there at a ripe age.
The father of our subject learned the trade of wagonmaker and followed it
for some years in Hamilton County before he turned his attention to farming.
In 1851, with his wife and three children, he came to Illinois to seek a new
home, journeying hither with teams. He settled in what is now Rose Township,
which he had previously visited, and had purchased at the time eight hundred
acres of land at $5 an acre, only a small part of the land being improved,
two log houses and an unfinished frame house constituting the only buildings
on the place. He resided on his land until his death, which occurred in 1860
and was caused by injuries received by the falling of the grand stand at the
fair ground, he dying a few days after. His wife, who was a native of
Virginia, also died on the home farm, and both lie sleeping their last sleep
side by side in the little private cemetery near by.
He of whom this sketch is principally written was a lad of thirteen years
when he came with his parents to Illinois, and he still has a vivid
recollection of the primitive scenes of those days, for the country was
still in the hands of the pioneers and much of its original wildness
remained. Deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful and often
furnished food for the settlers. There were no railways here and the people
had to go to St. Louis, as the nearest market and depot for supplies. Our
subject was of great assistance to his father in the management of his farm
and after the latter's death he still continued to reside on the old
homestead until 1881, when he came to Shelbyville and bought his present
residence. He still owns the farm in Rose Township, which is advantageously
located four miles from Shelbyville, and since it came into his possession
he has been constantly adding to its value by the many fine improvements
that he has placed upon it.
The marriage of Mr. Swallow with Miss Jeannia Lumph, a native of Okaw
Township, was solemnized April 11, 1861. Mrs. Swallow's father, Jacob Lumph,
was born, reared and educated in Germany. When about eighteen years of age
he came to America and for a time lived in Ohio. From there he came to
Illinois in the early settlement of Shelby County, and located among the
pioneers of Okaw Township. He resided there a few years and then bought
timber land one mile north of the court house at $5 an acre. He cleared his
land, developed it into a good farm, and made it his home until death called
him hence in 1860. His wife survived him many years, finally dying in
Shelbyville, in March, 1881, and her mortal remains were deposited by his in
the Austin Cemetery, one and one-fourth miles north of Shelbyville. Her
maiden name was Charlotte Frybarger. She came to this country with her
parents at the age of ten years, from her native Germany, and was married
here at the age of sixteen.
Mr. and Mrs. Swallow have three children: Mollie, who married William
Whitecraft, and lives at Springfield; William and Roy. Our subject and his
amiable wife are among our best people socially and religiously, and in them
the first Methodist Episcopal Church of Shelbyville, has two of its most
exemplary members, who are influential in promoting its growth materially
and spiritually. Mr. Swallow has sound views in regard to politics, and is a
true Republican.
Extracted 10 Apr 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 516-517.
