Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-22
THOMAS SWOBE,
FORMER OMAHA
PIONEER, DEAD
Veteran Of Four Wars Passes
Away at Home of His Son in
California; Body May
Be Sent Here.

anu NEOEdakA NpAEC anu M0lliN III
cles, who passed away at his home
at Berkley, Cal, Monday. Mrs
Swobe and his son. D. M. Swobe.
vice president Of the MeCloud River
railroad, we're at his side when
death came. Another son, Edwin
Z. Swobe, of Omaha, also survives.
While no definite arrangements
have been made, 1t is expected that
the body will be brought to Omaha
and buried in the family lot in Pros
pect Hill cemetery.
Born in Iohnstown, N. Y, March
IN, 1874, ne enlisted October 10,
1861, in Company f, 18th Michigan
infantry, for the period OF the civil
war. His regiment was ordered to
ST. Louis the following March, and
on ST. Patrick's day, his birthday,
he was promoted to the rank OF
corporal His regiment later was
transferred to the lst brigade, First
division, Army OF Tennessee.
Baptized in Fire at Shiloh.
The young man, just Is, received
his first experience in real warfare
IN a rather rigorous school, the bat
lie Of Shiloh, that terrible two days
slaughter. Corporal Swobe was in
the thick throughout the first days
conflict. which resulted in a victory
for the confederate army. The sec
ond day. however, brought victory
10 General Grants union forces and
the confederates were driven back
toward Corinth. General Johnston,
The leader Of the southerners, was
killed in this battle.
The conduct of the young cor
poral had come to the notice OF his
superior officers and July 5, 1867, he
was made a sergeant. While
guarding railroads in Arkansas, Ser-
geant Swobe was commissioned a
second lieutenant December ~,
1864. a half year later, he again
was promoted and made a
6rst lieutenant. He was then
detached from the regiment and
assigned to duty as assistant quar-.
tern1aster on the staff of General
Graves and as such he witnessed the
surrender Of Gen. Dwight May, COM
handing the District of Ouachita-
Lieutenant Swobe was placed IN
charge OF the cotton division from
Decembt 1865, to February, 1860,
when he was mustered out and hon
5rably discharged from the service.
Comes to Omaha.
After spending short time in
Michigan he came to Omaha in Au-
pust 1866. and took a position as
lenuty clerk under Frank Murphy,
that time county clerk. He sue
-eeded his chief and was elected
sounty clerk in 1869. At the end OF
i,is term he engaged in the real
estate and abstract business. HoWs
ever, he continued in politics and
vas elected councilman in 1877, serv-
ing on the council, on which John
III. Thurston was member. lie was
reelected In 1874
Later he engaged in the hardware
business with Milton Rogers and IN
1882 he built the Willard hotel IN
conjunction with ]. H. Willard, Ezra
Willard, Samuel Shears and ]. r.
Markell. Eight years later-he bought
3ut the interests OF his partners
and became the sole owner and man-
aqer Of the hosiery. Later he was
associated with ]. F. Market and
these two partners operated a chain
So % Hourishing hotels along the
mon Pacific lines.
Pioneer Of South Omaha.
MI. Swobe was a pioneer investor
ST South Omaha, having laid out the
.sockyards and founded the South
Omaha Land company. He also re-
organized the Omaha Driving Park
association and was member OF
the Real Estate Owners ASSOCIATION,
organized in 1891
War Found Him Ready.
IL 1893. when the dove of peace
hich had dwelt in the land for more
than 80 years again winged its flight
and gave place to the eagle Of war,
Thomas Swobe again offered his
services to his country. He was at
once appointed a captain and as
.istant auarternaster, United States
volunteers.
Admiral Dewey's squadron had
4nnihilatcd the proud fleet OF the
spaniards at Manila Bay, but Uncle
SANS blueeoats were in the thick
Of the fight to gain possession OF the
Philippine Islands. Captain Swobe
vas ordered to Tampa, Fla- o
.auip the siege artillery unler Gen
Iohn. i. Rogers, chief Of A artillery
After the surrender OF the span.
ish army at JG5a, he was ordered
la Nontauk Roint 10 take charge OF
,hc shipment Of troops from that
alace. Later he was assigned TO duty
transport uuartermaster on the
S. S. CITY OF Berlin aud made Il
rims between New York and Porto
Rico and Cuba in that capacity.
Around the World Once More.
Having been ordered to Tacoma.
wash. he became quartermaster OF
tie chartered transport Post Albert
ssiline for Manila September 5, with
cargo Of mules and army supplies
81 wav Of Dutch Harbor, Alaska
ind Kobe. Japan, to Manila, where
lie arrived October y, with al the
mules except four, which had uiea on
the way across. From here he was
aSsioned to duty to General Bates at
foio. and November IS 1917, as
anartermaster of the Department Ct
Nindanao, and Jolo. November ~
50 tie same year. he took the y. ,. ,.
Crook" with troops to Manila wa
the Suez canal.
Al is own request he was then
relieved from the transport service
snd ordered to Fort Sheridan, Wyo.'
* constructing quartermaster.
Back to Omaha.
promoted a major and quarter
master in February, 1907, pc was
rs-..4.- .sA s,{arpG IN