DAVID SWINGER
Among the enterprising, energetic and well-to-do agriculturists of Franklin township, Darke county, Ohio, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Franklin township, October 6, 1845. and grew to manhood on the old homestead farm, assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools from the age of six to twenty-one years, when his services were not needed at home. He remained under the parental roof until after his marriage.
On the 16th of April, 1868, Mr. Swinger wedded Miss Luvena Richardson, who was born near Pittsburg, Monroe township, Darke county, June 29, 1850, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county, being a granddaughter of William and Sarah (Markham) Richardson, natives of Tennessee, who came to Ohio at an early day and entered land near Pittsburg, Darke county. They were members of the Christian church. George Richardson, Mrs. Swinger's father, was born near Pittsburg, September 20, 1830, and died September 1, 1850, at the early age of twenty years. He married Esther Haworth, a daughter of John and Sarah (Penny) Haworth, and by that union was born only one child, Mrs. Swinger. For her second husband the mother married Aaron Wellbaum, and now lives in Dayton, Ohio. By that marriage she had eight children: Harvey, who died in infancy; Sarah, who died at the age of eight years; Christian, who married Sarah Vanatta and died in Hamilton, Ohio, January 15, 1898; Hiram, who married first Allie Dersham, and secondly Martha Daubmyer, and resides in Greenville, Ohio; Albert, who married Margaret Morrison and died in Greenville; Sampson, who married, first, Lizzie Hussey, and, secondly, Carrie Witt, and lives in Lexington, Kentucky; Dora, the wife of Arthur Bond, of Dayton, Ohio; and Martha, the wife of John Emerich, of Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Swinger are the parents of six children, concerning whom we make the following observations: Esther M., born June 10, 1869, is now the widow of Isaac Newton Bashore, and they have two children, Simon and Myrtle. She lives in Franklin township, Darke county. Simon, born February 10, 1872, married Martha Kauffman and has one child, Velma Ruth. Lucinda, born February 12, 1874, is at home. Edward I., born October 22, 1876, is also at home. Annie M., born January 18, 1879, is the wife of Harvey Small, and they had three children: Iva Luvena, who died in her third year; Lucinda Venice and Ruby Norine. They moved to Madison county, Indiana, in 1895, but returned to Darke county in June, 1898. and are now living in Franklin township, Walter Ray, born April 27, 1890, is attending school.
For three years after his marriage Mr. Swinger remained upon his father's farm, and then moved to his present place of one hundred and thirty-six acres, which was deeded him by his father. He has erected good and substantial buildings, and made many other improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the farm. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and since April, 1870, has been an active member of the German Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs. They are highly esteemed on account of their sterling worth and many excellencies of character, and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Darke county.
