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Surname: Folger, Macy, Worth, Barnard, Gardner
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History of Rush County, Indiana
1888
Brant & Fuller
Chicago
Alfred Swain:
Alfred Swain, one of Rush Countys old pioneers, and an honored and worthy
citizen of Rushville, was born in Union Co, Indiana, September 22, 1825.
He was the youngest of four children, three sons and one daughter, born
to Thomas and Lydia (Folger) Swain, both natives of North Carolina, of
English descent. His father was the son of Joseph and Jedidah (Macy) Swain,
both natives of Nantucket Island. His mother was the daughter of Latham
and Matilda (Worth) Folger, both of whom were also born on Nantucket Island.
His two brothers were Franklin F. and Alonzo, both of whom are deceased.
His sisters name is Elvira, who is now the widow of Isaac Barnard, and
resides in Clarke Co., Iowa. When he was seven years old, his parents removed
to Rush County and located in the woods of Posey Township, where our subject
spent his boyhood and early youth assisting to clear and cultivate his
fathers farm. His mother died when he was eight years old, after which
he continued with his father upon the farm until the latters death, which
occurred January 7, 1846. For about six years thereafter our subject was
variously employed, but chiefly as a farm hand and as a clerk. In January
1852, he engaged in general merchandising in Manilla, this county. On the
31st day of December 1852, he had this misfortune of having his store and
entire stock destroyed by fire. A loss, which Mr. Swain sorely felt, as
it was wholly uninsured. For some four or five years thereafter he was
engaged as salesman in a store at Manilla, and other wise employed, after
which he spent a period of about five years upon the old homestead, in
Posey Township. In 1864, he opened up a country store in Posey Township,
which he conducted about four years and a half. He then removed to Arlington,
where his attention was given to mercantile pursuits until 1874. In January
1875, he came to Rushville, a resident of which he has been ever since.
For about seven years after locating here he dealt in lumber. Since 1881,
he has had no regular pursuit, but has been leading the life of a retired
citizen. His first marriage occurred September 16, 1852, when Miss Laurinda
Barnard became his wife. She was born in Union County, Indiana, July 17,
1825, and was the daughter of Jethro and Sally (Gardner) Barnard, both
natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Laurinda Swain died March 18, 1874, and
August 1, 1875, Mr. Swain was married to Miss Rhoda E. Barnard, a younger
sister of his first wife, who was born in Union County, this state, April
3, 1837. Mr. Swains first marriage resulted in the birth of three children,
as follows: Alva H., born July 15, 1854, Clara E, born October 30, 1856,
and Rosa E., born July 15, 1859, died August 23, 1863. Mr. And Mrs. Swain
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former has been a member
of the I. O. O. F. Lodge over thirty-five years. In politics he is an ardent
Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren in
1848.Since 1856; he has been an ardent supporter of the principles of the
Republican Party. He served as Assessor of Posey Township one term, and
served this county as Real Estate Appraiser, one term.
Page 756