Swafford Family History & Genealogy

my grandmother on my mothers side was WONDERFUL LADY NAMED DORA RUTHEY JANE SWAFFORD ROWE
DAUGHTER OF STEAVEN SWAFFORD AND NELLIE HONEY SHE WAS BORN IN 1905 DIED IN 1995 SHE HAD 10CHILDREN SHE RAISED TO BE GROWN ONE CHILD DIED IN INFANCY AND ONE SET OF TWINS STILLBORN.
SHE RAISED HER BROTHERS AND SISTER AFTER THEIR MOTHER DIED UNTIL SHE MARRIED AT AGE 21
SHE ALWAY WENT BY THE NAME RUTHEY.I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HER FONDLY. EDNA DUNCAN

Notes for Christian Lindon Swafford

CHRISTIAN LINDON SWAFFORD

1. CHRISTIAN LINDON SWAFFORD was born January 07, 1823 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died April 28, 1913 in Grant County, Indiana,

He married (1) CATHERINE HAMMER January 27, 1842 in Henry County, Indiana, She was born 1822 in North Carolina, and died August 27, 1855,

He married (2) SARAH FRANTZ February 17, 1857 in Grant County, Indiana, daughter of MICHAEL FRANTZ and ELIZABETH BARNHART. She was born May 24, 1839 in Roanoke County, Virginia, and died December 19, 1868 in Grant County, Indiana.

He married (3) MARGARET G. CAREY March 16,1871, daughter of JOHN CAREY and ELIZA MOON. She was born December 20, 1839 in Highland County, Ohio, and died January 22, 1881 in Grant County, Indiana.

He married (4) JULIA ANN GREEN March 23, 1882 in Grant County, Indiana, daughter of William GREEN and ELIZABETH DALYRIMPLE. She was born July 30, 1841 in Ohio, and died November 28, 1902.

Notes for CHRISTIAN LINDON SWAFFORD:

Christian Lindon and Mary G. were disciplined by Back Creek MM on April 13, 1871 for their civil marriage ceremony outside the church, [Sources: Marriages - Indiana to 1850; Grant County, Indiana, Marriage Records 1831-1882, Book 3, p. 225, Book 4, p. 386, Book 6, p. 582; Swafford/Swofford Families of America, p. 339)

In the 1850 Indiana Census, Christian, Catherine, and children Wm. H, Eliza Ellen, and Samantha are shown living in LaGro Township, Wabash County, Indiana. Christian is listed as age 27 and being born in North Carolina. In a neighboring dwelling are living Enoch and Mary Swafford, Christian's parents.

In the 1860 Indiana Census, Christian, Sarah, and five children are shown living in Fairmount Township, Grant County. Christian is listed as being 36 years old and a merchant. In the next dwelling are living Sarah's parents, Michael and Elizabeth Frantz, and five of their children.

In 1870 Indiana Census, Christian and five children are shown living in Jalapa, Pleasant Township, Grant County. His occupation is listed as farmer.

"9-19-1875 Christian received by request-" [Source: Back Creek MM. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol. VII, p. 139)


"SWAFFORD. Christian b 1-7-1823, Margaret G. b 12-20-1839, Marcellus b 2-3-1859, Constantine, b 11-24-1857, Charles b 5-26-1866 m Emma Gessman 1-10-1887, Mary E b 12-11-1867, Milton C b 10-30-1873 d 6-26-1882 Back Cr, Lydia b 3-11-1876" [Source: Back Creek MM, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol, VII, p. 105]

"8-14-1884 Christian discontinued" [Source: Back Creek MM. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol. VII, p. 139]

1900 Indiana Census indicates Christian, his wife Johanna, and son Clyde are living in Jonesboro, Mill Township, Grant County. The 1910 Indiana Census shows Christian still living in Jonesboro with his son Clyde, daughter-in-law Mary, and grandchildren Elmer and Delight.

Christian was listed as an octogenarian living in Mill Township in 1913. [Source: Centennial History of Grant County, Indiana 1812-1912]

There was an interesting story that Christian Lindon was approached by two lawyers who lived in Wabash, Indiana, informing him of a huge inheritance, including a castle in Scotland, which they would try to secure for him if he would sign a paper giving them a large percentage of the inheritance. Christian refused to sign the lawyers' proposed agreement. later inquiries made to the Library of Congress appear to confirm that the two attorneys were attempting to lure Christian into a con game. There were other articles about buried treasure in Parade Magazine in 1982 and in the Houston Post in 1983. To date, no strong evidence exists to show any inheritance or treasure is waiting for a member of the Swafford Family to claim. [Source: Swafford/Swofford Families of America, Second Edition, 1999, p. 366-367.]

More About CHRISTIAN LINDON SWAFFORD: Burial: Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana - Back Creek Cemetery

Notes for MARGARET G. CAREY:
Margaret Davidson and daughters Elva and Elizabeth are shown as living in Jonesboro, Mill Township, Grant County in the 1870 Indiana Census. The dwelling next to Margaret was occupied by Charles Carey, and next to Charles was George Swafford. "SWAFFORD Margaret (form Davidson) [Source: Back Creek MM. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol. VII, p. 139)

More About MARGARET G. CAREY:
Burial: Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana - Back Creek Cemetery

Notes for JULIA ANN GREEN:
There has been some confusion as to Christian's fourth wife's name. On 1900 Indiana Census for Jonesboro, Indiana, her name was listed as Johanna. Marriage records for Grant County, Indiana, list her name as Anne Bromage. Other sources list her name as Julia Ann Bromage and Julia Ann Green. Correspondence on March 1999 with Ray Swofford (Arlene King Kusek) said that her name was Julia Ann Green. Julia's first marriage was to Daniel Bromage. A daughter of Julia and Daniel Bromage.

Bromage, Sarah, married Michael Frantz Swafford, daughter of Christian and Sarah (Frantz) Swafford.

More About JULIA ANN GREEN:
Burial: Fairmount, Grant County, IN - Back Creek Cemetery

Notes for Marcellus Lindon SWAFFORD

MARCELLUS LINDON SWAFFORD

M. Linden Swafford, son of Christian and Sarah Swafford. was born near Marion, Ind., February 3, 1859, and departed this life at the old home place near Byers, October 18, 1931, age 72 years, 8 months and 15 days.

His childhood was spent near Marion, Ind., and here he received his education.

At the age of fifteen he was converted and later united with the Friends Church at Back Creek, Ind., remaining a faithful member until the day of his death serving his Master as doors of opportunity were opened to him.

On August 21, 1880 he was united in marriage with Anna L. Carey and to this union were born thirteen children, two of whom preceded their father in death. Mertie at the age of three and Mrs. Goldie Burns who on February 24, 1931, was called to her reward.

Soon after his marriage he began his active service in the church as an evangelistic singer and personal worker. About this time he definitely sought and received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and immediately he acknowledged the call of the Lord upon him to preach the gospel. The church recognized his gift and recorded him a minister.

In 1900 he, with his family moved to Pratt county settling on the farm which is still the family home.

His work in the ministry was that of an evangelist, and during the fifteen to eighteen years of service over Kansas Yearly meetings he saw many souls turn to the Lord. Five years of this period of evangelism was in association with his : brother,. M. F. Swafford. He also labored in company with Arthur Rush deceased, and W. A. Woodward.

During the last fifteen; years of his life, on the account of ill health, he was deprived from larger public service, for which his heart so longed, but his faithfulness in the home meeting, at Pleasant Plain, in prayer, song and sermon, has been a source of blessing to all.

The last week of his life was one of untold joy and blessing. He with his wife spent the time in Wichita, where together they attended the sessions of Kansas Yearly Meeting. This precious privilege was made possible by his brother and wife, M. F. and Alice Swafford, whose home is near the University church. It was here they were so kindly entertained thus securing for both families the joys of longed for visit as well as the blessing which came from the sessions of the meeting.

Linden was a faithful, devoted husband and a kind, loving father.


He leaves behind to mourn his departure his devoted wife, seven daughters; Coral Whybrew, Olney Springs, Colo.; Elletta Gaddis, Haviland; Eva King, Lycan, Colo.; Bernice King, Liberal; Lydia Cox, Byers; Sarah Daughtery and Velma of the home; four sons, Leonard and Wilford of Byers; John of Santa Ana, Calif.; Verlin, Lycan, Colo.; also 64 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

He also leaves two brothers, W. C. of Haviland; M. F. of Wichita; one sister, Ella Wilson, Phoenix, Ariz.; and half-sister, Lydia Cook, Marion, Ind.; one half-brother, Clyde Jonesborough, Ind.; one step sister, Elva Overman, Fairmount, also a number of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held. at the Pleasant Plain Friends church.

Included in book "Descendants of Josiah Swaffer/Swafford" by Marie Branson King