My Genealogy Hound

SIMEON D. SWAN.
In the history of Creston it is imperative that mention be made of Simeon D. Swan, who for many years was a most prominent and influential resident of the city. His business interests contributed to its welfare and as its first mayor he gave a public-spirited and beneficial administration which succeeded in placing the city upon a safe basis and upheld its legal and political status. His aid could always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good and aside from his official service he manifested in his life so many sterling traits of character that his memory is yet revered by those who knew him.

His birth occurred in Virginia, March 20, 1832. His parents, Thomas and Eleanor (Anderson) Swan, were of English ancestry, the first representative of the name in America being Richard Swan, who landed at Boston in 1639. Colonel Charles Swan, the grandfather of Simeon, took the first slaves to Pennsylvania. The family was represented in the Revolutionary war, Colonel Charles Swan giving active aid to the colonists during the struggle for national independence. He had a grant of land of thirteen hundred acres in Lexington, Kentucky, and founded the Episcopal church of Carmichael, resulting in the establishment of Green Academy. Thomas Swan was born in the Keystone state and lived in Green county for a considerable period. He became a large landowner and a man of prominence in the community in which he lived. He was the father of ten children, of whom Simeon was the youngest.

In the state of his nativity Simeon D. Swan spent the days of his boy hood and youth, while in the public schools he acquired his education. A year after his marriage, in 1852, he left Pennsylvania and made his way westward to Iowa, settling first in Van Buren county, where he entered land and made his home for a short period. He then removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, which at that time was a small village. Securing a tract of land, he turned his attention to the livery business and there remained until 1870, when he came to Creston to take charge of a hotel for the Burlington Railroad Company, conducting the hostelry for some time. He liked the location and concluded to make Creston his permanent home. The hotel was called the Creston House and stood on the present site of the Victoria hotel. At that time the hotel, the post office, the depot, a general store and the remains of a mud house comprised the town. The boundless, treeless, trackless prairie was all that met the view of the inhabitants of the village as they gazed out over the surrounding country.

Simeon D. Swan remained in the employ of the railroad company for only a short time. He soon built a home here and became interested in a drug store. In 1881 he erected the Summit House, which he and his son-in-law, John Becker, Jr., conducted for a number of years, when they were succeeded by Beck and Charles Allen in 1889.

At that time Mr. Swan and his son-in-law turned their attention to the egg, poultry and butter business, in which they continued with good success until 1893. In 1896 the old Summit House was destroyed by fire, after which they erected a new hotel on the old site, putting up a modern building of pressed brick, three stories in height and supplied with all modern conveniences. The property belongs to the Creston Hotel Company, composed of members of the Swan family. In 1893 Mr. Swan sold his poultry business and retired on a competency. He had been successful in all of his undertakings, his capable management and unwearied industry proving the foundation upon which he built his prosperity. He was, moreover, known as a most reliable business man and in the conduct of his varied interests he made steady progress toward the goal of success.

At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Swan was living in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. In May, 1861, he raised a company for service and it was mustered in as a part of the First Iowa Cavalry with Mr. Swan as captain, but before the regiment was ready to be sent to the field Colonel A. B. Porter, who had participated in the battle of Wilson’s Creek, had received orders to raise a regiment and induced Captain Swan to assist him. The latter at once took up the work of securing men for the formation of a new organization, which became the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and he was elected major, while on the 4th of June, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In the summer of 1863 he tendered his resignation on account of ill health. It was about that time that he was commissioned colonel of his regiment. In various important battles of the west and south he participated and his own bravery and loyalty inspired his men to deeds of valor. He made an excellent record as one who in the thickest of the fight or upon the lonely picket line was always true to the duty given him.

Mr. Swan was married to Dorcas Ayers, who was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1834, a daughter of Squire and Ruth (Arnold) Ayers. Her father was one of the framers of the constitution of the state of Iowa. He came to Iowa about 1850 and settled in Van Buren county, where he was soon recognized as a prominent and influential citizen, leaving the impress of his individuality upon many movements for public progress. He had been a large landowner in Pennsylvania and in Van Buren county he entered land from the government. As he prospered in his undertakings he gave generously for the support of progressive public measures and with his private funds built a church at Bonaparte. He was a man of superior education, of naturally strong intellect and broad views. In early life he read law and many came to him for advice, which was freely given to the best of his ability. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and his progressive citizenship, called him to represent the district in the state senate. He was indeed one of the prominent and influential residents of his community, the most kindly regard and respect being tendered him by all who knew him. His daughter Dorcas was one of a family of nine children and on the 22d of October, 1851, at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, she gave her hand in marriage to Simeon D. Swan.

Seven children were born of their union: William Thomas, who was born July 19, 1852, and is now a well known hotel man of Omaha; Ella May, who was born May 3, 1855, and is now the widow of John Becker, living in Creston; Frank Ayers, deceased; Dora Belle, who was born November 19, 1859, and now lives at home, having in 1900 lost her husband, Charles H. Elliott, who was a merchant; Simeon D., who was born December 28, 1861, and has departed this life; Florence Leona, who was born May 10, 1869, and is the wife of Dr. M. F. Stever, a practicing dentist in Creston; and Lulu Grace, who was born January 3, 1876, and is now deceased.

The parents are members of the Baptist church and their children of the Congregational church. In early life Mr. Swan took an active interest in church work and was a liberal contributor thereto, warm hearted and charitable, and gave freely of his means to the poor and needy and readily responded to every tale of sorrow or distress. He loved his home and delighted in the companionship of his family. His friends, too, could always count upon him as one who was thoroughly reliable in friendship. Indeed he possessed a most noble nature and found his greatest happiness in doing for others. In politics he was an ardent republican and was the first mayor of Creston, serving as such for two terms. He was also a member of Union Post, G. A. R. His interest in community affairs was deep and sincere and he did everything in his power to promote the welfare of his adopted city. The death of Mr. Swan occurred on January 22, 1900, and to his family he left a goodly estate, including valuable property interests, from which they derive a substantial income. His life record was an indication of what could be accomplished by perseverance, diligence and honorable effort.