My Genealogy Hound

Edward Swiney. In every calling in life, whether of a commercial, agricultural or professional nature, there are always some men who attain the highest round in the ladder of success, and Mr. Swiney may be mentioned as one of those men, for he has not only attained considerable of this world’s goods, but he has won the confidence, esteem and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He was born in Washington County, Mo., December 25, 1829, and is one of six surviving members of a family of nine children born to the marriage of John Swiney and Elizabeth Highley. They were born in Kentucky and Virginia in 1803 and 1805, respectively. The father was a forgeman by trade, and helped to make the first iron ever made in Missouri, at what is known as Massas Iron Works. He was of Irish descent, and died in the city of Chihauhau in 1848, while serving in the Mexican War. His widow resides in Iron County, Mo., with her daughter, Mrs. Susan Thomas. Edward Swiney, the immediate subject of this sketch, resided with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Mexican War, in Company D, Third Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers, being mustered into service on May 8, 1847, receiving his discharge October 19, 1848. While in the service he was thrown from a horse and injured his left arm, which has been practically useless ever since. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Thompson, who was born in Washington County, Mo., in March, 1828, by whom he is the father of eight children: Elizabeth and Ellen (deceased), Julia A., John M., James H., Isaiah N., Edward L. and Thomas D. At the time of Mr. Swiney’s marriage he located on a farm in Washington County, where he resided until 1857, when he moved to Dent County, where he owns 280 acres of land, with sixty-five under cultivation. He also owns 660 acres in Shannon County. In 1873 he was elected justice of the peace of Sinking Township by the Democratic party, receiving all but one vote, and filled this position four terms of two years each. In 1882 he was elected county judge of his district, being reelected in 1884. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is a daughter of Morgan and Nancy Thompson.