Person:Henry Swartzlander (1)

Henry Swartzlander, the subject of this sketch, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania on June 12, 1814. He is the eldest son of Philip and Mary Schwartzlander of the same state, but of German lineage. Young Henry attended the common schools of his native place, when not engaged in farm duties, until he was nineteen years of age, when he began work at the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship for two years in his native state. In 1837, he went to Ohio, where he successfully carried on the business of his calling for sixteen years. In 1853, Mr. Swartzlander came to Indiana and located on the farm on which he yet resides. He now devoted his energies to improving his farm and tilling the soil. There had been but little improvement made, and a small cabin built. Now began in earnest the battle of life, which had been manfully and successfully fought. As time wore on, the forest yielded to the woodman's ax and fine cultivated fields appeared in their stead; the cabin gave way to the elegant frame residence, and other convenient farm buildings made their appearance; and energy, industry and perserverance have left but few traces of the trackless forests so familiar to the early pioneer. Mr. Swartzlander has been married twice. To the first union were born three children -- Philip, Catherine and Mary --all of whom are married and residents. His first lady died in 1845. In 1847, he was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Stahl, and to them have been born four children -- Adelia M., Violetta M., Milton M. and Deliliah M. This family are consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

Note: The home they speak of is still standing down the road from me and has only been slightly modified by an addition and the removal of the large front porch, it is located on Division Road northwest of Akron, Indiana. My grandfather, Henry Franklin Swartzlander, lived in that house with his wife and children, his middle daughter, Ruth, lived in the house until 1975. No remodeling had been done to the house until after she sold the farm. My mother, Ina (Swartzlander) Hatfield was raised in that house. Joyce (Hatfield) Moore