Person:Harriet Sherwood (1)

published on Wed Jan 10, 1912 p.1, Col 5 - DEATH CLAIMED ANOTHER PIONEER - Mrs.Harried Swan one of the oldest inhabitants of the county, died last Wed at the home of her son, Levi Swan, at the advanced age of 88yrs. Harriet Sherwood was born on Jul 23, 1823 at Byron, Genesee county, NY and was the eldest of 5 daughters born to Levi & Patience Sherwood. On Jun 21, 1840, she married John Swan and they came to Jefferson in Jackson county in this state soon after. In 1841, they moved onto a farm in Ingham county which was then a wilderness. All the hardships incident to pioneer life were experienced by these worthy people, who made their farm into one of the best in this section. Mr. Swan died in 1882 and since then Mrs.Swan has lived with her only surviving son, Levi Swan. 14yrs ago they left the farm and moved to their present home on east Oak St., where Mrs. Swan died, after some months of ill health. The only one of Mrs.Swan's sisters still living is the youngest one, who lives in PA. Mrs.Swan, in relating incidents of her pioneer life, often spoke of Chief Okemos, who had a camp not far from the Swan farm, where he came every year. She often gave him food in exchange for baskets and he would always take some of it home for "squaw and papoose". John Swan was one of the men who helped to build the road through to Dexter. The funeral was held from the home on Fri afternoon, Rev. Marion Carpenter of Detroit officiating, with interment in Hawley Cemetery.

Harriet Swan, w/o John, died Jan 3, 1912 aged 88y5m13d (=birthdate of 21 Jul 1823) NOTE: her obit said born on 23rd instead of 21st