Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-07-26
CALLED BY DEATH
CAPTAIN S. A. sWIeoETT PASSES
AWAY AT HIS HOME IN
HELENA, MONT.
Formerly Prominent Citizen Of Wapel-
10 county-sheriff fer Two Terms
Veteran of the Civil War-Funeral to
Be Held in Ottumwa.

Captain S, A. Swiggett. veteran
of the civil war and one of the early
residents and prominent citizens of
Wapello county, died Friday at his
home in Helena, Mont, after an i'll
ness of several months. The remains
will be brought to Ottumwa for inter
ment and the funeral services will be
conducted from the First Baptist
church Wednesday or Thursday.
Captain Swiggett was for thirty
years active in the development of
Wapello county, being prominent in
business and political as well as
church affairs. He was for number
of years engaged in business in
Blakesburg and later in Ottumwa. He
was brave soldier and was known
as man Of sterling integrity. He was
held in the highest esteem by his com
rades and business acquaintance and
was very popular with large circle
of friends.
Sketch of His Life.
Captain Swiggett was 70 years of
age. He was born in Dorchester
county, Md. May 10, 1884. in 1856 he
came to Iowa and located at Blakes-
burg. Before coming to Blakesburg
he had resided three years in Indiana
He was married in 1856 to Miss Eliza
III. VanCleve, of Blakesburg, who died
April 10, 1894. Miss VanCleve was
the daughter of Cyrus VanCleve, a
prominent citizen of Blakesburg. Mr.
/ Swiggett for a time engaged in mer
chant tailoring but found other pur
4 suits more profitable and in 1862 was
y O0stnaStar pf ord
I conducting general store. He took ar
earnest and efficient church worker.
Enlists In Ottunwa Company.
Captain Swiggett enlisted In Com
pany B, Both Iowa, a company which
was organized in Ottumwa August 8
1862, and was elected first lieutenant
Afterwards upon the promotion of hi
superior he was made captain. TIL
company rendezvoused at Keokul
where the seth Iowa Infantry was final
ly organized and mustered into service
of the United States October a, 1862
: Col. Charles W. Kittrldge commanding
Captain Swiggett served Throughout
the war taking part in all of the bal
ties in which his regiment participat
ed.
Taken Prisoner.
At the battle of Marks Mill, Ark, i
. April, 1854, Captain Swiggett with hi
, command was taken prisoners by 81
! perior force, after heavy loss. TIL
prisoners were taken to the confederat
+ prison at Tyler, Tex. On three diffe
ent occasions Mr.. Swiggett escape
= from prison, but was each time r,
!. captured. In 1866 when there was
a general exchange of prisoners Capital
;. Swiggett was the last one to leave tn
, stockade In a book entitled eth
:. Bright Side of Prison Life" publishe
. : in 1895 Captain Swiggett gives an il
!, teresting account of his prison e,
q perience.
f Elected Sheriff.
Returning to Wapello county at til
# close of the war Captain Swiggett el
It gagged in the real estate and mercantil
} business In 1869 he was elected she
if of Wapello county and held this o
fee four years with credit to himse
and 10 the community. At the close {
& his term of Office Captain Swigge
again engaged in business. He VIZ
:, one of the most active members
= the First Baptist church. He was ma
- of deep convictions and courageous
- doing what he believed to be right.
al Goes to Montana.
e In 1880 Captain Swiggett went
Montana and became identified wi
various mining enterprises. He he
l. various state and government po
n tions until failing health about a ye
T. ago made his retirement necessar
II A few years ago he was married
!. Mrs. Florence Kelley, formerly of {
t. tumwa. He is survived by his wi
R. and two children.
!. The funeral services will be &C
,e Quoted Wednesday or Thursday frc
st the First Baptist church, Rev. F.
e Davies officiating. The complete ;
70 rangements will be announced lat'
1t Cloutman post G. A. R. will attend t
n. funeral in body and have charge
s. the services at the grave.