SWANK-Alonzo - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Alonzo Swank, miller, Rob Roy, son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Foster) Swank, was born in Warren County, Indiana, January 26, 1857. His mother died when he was nine days old, and he was taken and reared by his grandfather, William Swank, who with his own father, Jacob, came to this county in 1830. Both were Blacksmiths. The latter remained only a short time, then went into Fountain County. They had a smithy close to Henry Nave's. William Swank improved the farm, and built the brick house where Wm. Melvin Hatton lives in this township. In September 1872, the subject of this notice went into the Rob Roy mill to learn the business of milling with Messrs. Bookwalter and Claypool, and has been connected with it ever since. In November 1876, Mr. Swank joined with Albert Donovan and leased the mill from his employers. They ran it till August 1878, when James W. Orr bought his partner's interest in the lease, and these have operated the mill to the present time. Mr. Swank married Miss Luella Kingora, January 3 1878. She was born May 13 1860. They have one child, Ally born December 17 1878. Mr. Swank's father died in August 1875.

File Created: 2007-Apr-01