The Portland daily press., 1882-11-03

Whatever attractions they may have hrId out he
did not psrmit them to seduce him from mis- pro-
fessional duties and employments. lie had the
confidence of his townsmen, and held several
town offices, as that of clerk, treasurer, member
of the school committee as long as he could do
50 without injustice to the egttI ate claims OF
his professional business; and through a long
series of years was the chosen and faithful coun-
sol of the town in all matters requiring profess
siOnal services.
lie was states attorney for this county from
1886 to l853-seven consecutive years. He dis
charged the duties of this office with great abil-
ity, and with firmness and devotion to duty
which most favorably impressed all who were
then familiar with the business of the courts.
1t was during the latter part or his tenure Of
this office that the original Maine law was pass
ed The duty of the first official prosecution un-
der it in this county by Indictment or OF appeals
fell upon him. But however new, startling or
experimental any of its features then seemed,
however stringent or obnoxious any OF its pro-
visions then appeared, and however unpopular
the vigorous enforcement of the Law might be,
he did not shrink from any duty devolving on
him IN relation to it. He enforced it, as he did
all other criminal laws, fearlessly and impartial
y regarding in his execution OF ltkneltner poti'
cal party nor personal Lends.
"FjGt JlsStit5d" was his Interpretation OF the
solemn oath which he had taken, ahd never was
sacred vow more faithfully kept than was his
oath of Office observed by him.
He was senator froni this county in the legis-
lature il 1856, during Governor Wells admins
tration, and served with his usual fidelity and
with acceptance, ON the judiciary and several
other important committees.
He was married Oct. 20. 1910, to Harriet
| Maria eldest daughter of Enoch Freeman Hig-
| gins and Marian Deane Higgins. Mrs. Swasey
| died March 81. 1869, leaving six children, five
| sons and one daughter, to deplore with their
| father their irreparable loss.
Three of the sons, Henry W. Swasey of this
| city, and Hnratio e aud George r. Swasey OF
sosFon, have followed the profession of theil
father.
| r0Bher Swasev possessed unusual vigor botf
| of body and mind. His constitution WAS strong
| and he had great powers of endurance. His ex
| cellent habits OF lite tended in no small de
| gree TO increase rather than diminish his physi
cal strength, and for threescore and ten years ht
| vas blessed with far more than ordinary de
gree of bodily health.
During the past SIX years it had been some
what impaired. He had, however, been able
! with a comparatively short interruption, to e
| to his Office daily, and give his personal atten
| tiOn 60 mis- business until day two before hi
death, which occurred August 81, 1882, the i'm
| mediate cause of it being Lraemia.
Though during his last brief sickness suhjec
TO severe distress Of body, he retained complet,
| nossession of his mental powers until yer!
| short time before bis death, and, fully aware o
| his condition, calmly awaited the great event.
He was, however, in the closing hours, kindl
| spared all consciousness physical pain.