Swindler - William - note - multiple ones - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

William SWINDLER, retired farmer, Ladoga. In 1830 he with his widowed mother and her family came to Brown Twp, this County, from Ky, where she had buried her husband, Mr. Jonathan Swindler, a short time previous. Soon after coming to this County William went to Crawfordsville and there engaged as an apprentice cabinet and carpenter trade with Townsend & Griffith, and remained himself till April 27, 1837. He then marr. Miss America, daughter of Mr. James BATY, a native of Ky. Soon after his marr. Mr. S. bought a piece of land in Scott Twp, and there in the wild forest cleared a spot on which to build a cabin, and with the pluck and energy that has characterized him through life succeeded in clearing a heavily timbered tract of land of the wildest character into an excellent farm of 215 acres. This he still owns, besides his comfortable residence in Ladoga. His wife d. Aug 13, 1847 and for his second wife, he marr. Mrs. Margaret HUGHS, daughter of Philip REDINBAUGH, a native of Jefferson CO, In. She d. March 8, 1872. He now has his third wife, Mrs. Susan BENSON, a native of Va, and daughter of Mr. Daniel HIMES. Mr. S. had by his first wife 3 children, all deceased. One died at Memphis, Tn (he enlisted at Indianapolis in 1863). By his second wife he had 3 children, one of whom is living. He now has charge of the old farm and is married to Miss Savilla KELSEY and has two children, Hattie Bell and one infant.

Source: Waveland Independent
Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana
Sept 11, 1914

William Swindler, one of the oldest citizens of Brown Twp, d. at his home E. of Browns Valley, on Thurs. last. Death resulted from heart failure. He was b. 84 years ago. His wife and son, Albert survive him. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. WD Headrick of Indianapolis at the home on Sat. Interment in Indiana Creek Cemetery The dec. was a life long member of the Christian Church.

Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana. (Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 680

William SWINDLER an honored pioneer settler of Montgomery County, Ind and for many years successfully engaged in the varied duties of agricultural life, has now retired from active work and enjoys his well-earned rest in a pleasant home in Ladoga. He came an energetic, ambitious young man into the new state, and overcoming all difficulties, aided in developing the varied resources of its soil, and thus materially advanced its rapid growth and upward progress. Our subject was a native of Ky, and was born in Shelby Co in 1815. He was the 7th in a family of 8, of whom he is today the sole survivor. His parents were Jonathan and Letitia MOUNT Swindler, both natives of the state of VA. Making their home in the prosperous state of Ky they there reared their family and taught them the lessons of self-reliance and honesty, all the capital in life with which they could endow their intelligent and sturdy children.  The brothers and sisters of our subject were Samuel; Clayton; Mary, who became the wife of Henry Keplinger; Thomas; John; Rhoda, who was married to William GOLT (sic -- Gott); and Harvey.  After years of toil and changing fortunes, the widowed mother of our subject journeyed with her family to Indiana and located in Montgomery County, where she entered a Government claim of 160 acres of unbroken prairie land.  A woman of rare courage, resolution and endurance, she managed well the varied cultivation of her homestead, and made the acres yield her a comfortable living and excellent return for her years of patient toil.  After the death of his mother, William Swindler received this now valuable land as his inheritance and it still remains in his possession.  Soon after his arrival in Montgomery County, our subject learned his trade of carpenter in Crawfordsville from the pioneer carpenter and builder, Ephraim GRIFFITH, widely known in the early days.  Mr. Swindler continued actively engaged in carpenter work in Crawfordsville for several years, but the leading business of his life had been farming, in which pursuit he achieved practical success.  Aside from 160 acres of the old homestead, he also owns a fine tract of 40 acres and has highly improved his holdings.  Our subject has 3 times entered the bonds of matrimony.  His first wife was Miss America BEATLY, by whom he had 3 children, all of whom are deceased. His wife died in 1843, and after some time had elapsed he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret HUGHES, who became the mother of 3 children, only one surviving to mature years.  In 1872 his second wife passed away and again Mr. Swindler was left alone.  His third wife was Mrs. Susannah BENSON HIMES.  There were no children of this marriage.  THe only child of our subject who arrived at mature years was a son, Henry, a well-known and prosperous farmer and an honest, upright citizen, now cultivating the soil of the old homestead and engaging in general agricultural duties.  Mr. Swindler, being an only son, enjoyed most excellent educational advantages.  Born in 1857, he early attended the primary schools of the neighborhood, but at the proper age he was sent to Wabash College and afterward completed his studies at the university in Warren County, under the auspices of the United Brethren Church.  In 1877 he was married to Miss Kelsey (Sovilla P according to Montgomery Co marriages), daughter of William Kelsey, a pioneer settler of the county.  Mr. and Mrs. Swindler are the happy parents of five bright, promising children, who will all enjoy ample opportunity for storing their minds with useful knowledge.  The family are all attendants at the Methodist Episcopal Church of which the father and mother are both active and working members.  Mr. and Mrs. Swindler have passed their lives near their present home, and have a large circle of old-time friends and acquaintances, whose esteem and confidence they enjoy.  They are progressive people, and are well informed on all current matters of interest, ever lending their influence for the advancement of right and justice.  Our subject, William Swindler, is a member of the United Brethren Church, and thus he and his son belong to different religious organizations but both are united upon political issues and both vote the Republican ticket. Henry Swindler is a member of the Knights of Pythias at New Market, and is one of the foremost in his immediate neighborhood in all good work.