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Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 2 Aug 2005 |
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The History of Warren County Ohio Part V. Biographical Sketches Clear Creek Township (Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992) |
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MONROE SWENY, tile manufacturer, Red Lion; born in Warren Co., Ohio; is a son of Col. James and Clarissa (Coffeen) Sweny. The grandparents were William and Sarah (Steele) Sweny, natives of Pennyslvania, [sic] and William was a son of Robert Sweny, who, in the spring of 1780, with several others started on an expedition into Kentucky, where they intended to avail themselves of grants of lands to those who would make certain improvements thereon. They selected their lands and began improvements on the same, and in the meantime had to protect themselves against the Indians. Soon, other parties stepped in and claimed their lands, and, in that day, having no recourse by law, by which they could repel their claims, and the Indians being troublesome, Mr. Sweny and his party started to return to Pennsylvania by way of Virginia, there being no other route on account of the Indians. While on their way, at a point some two or three days' journey from any white settlement, they were attacked by Indians, some of their party were wounded and a large part of their baggage captured and burned by the savages. It was a desperate encounter and Mr. Sweny and party barely escaped with their lives. The balance of his life Mr. Sweny spent in Pennsylvania. It is not now known that Mr. Sweny had but one child - William, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1770, and who at 10 years of age accompanied his father on the above-mentioned expedition to Kentucky, and returned with him to Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and married Sarah Steel, who was born in 1772, by whom he had nine children - Robert, Martha, James, Mary, Rachel, Betsey, Eli and Nancy, of whom Eli is the only surviving one. Mr. Sweny with his family emigrated to Ohio and settled in Clear Creek Township, Warren Co,, [sic] on Section 3, Town 3 east, Range 4 north, being the same place where |
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his son Eli now resides; here he opened out right in the woods - his neighbors few and far between; he erected a rough log cabin and began in true pioneer style. In 1811, he burnt brick for a house, for which he erected during 1812 and 1813. He died Feb. 22, 1848; his wife died in 1838. Mr. Sweny was one of the honored pioneers of the county, a substantial and reliable man, who had the fall confidence of his community and filled many of the offices of his town- ship. He was an earnest, religious man, being in early life a Methodist, but later, he espoused the Swedenborgian faith, which was his belief the balance of his life. Robert, his eldest son, served in the war of 1812, and was at the surrender of Hull's army at Detroit. Col. James Sweny, the second son and third child, was the father of our subject; was born near Brownsville, Penn., Sept. 21, 1796, and came with his father's family to Ohio in 1799. On March 31, 1824, he married Clarissa Coffeen, who was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 16, 1802. They had three sons and two daughters; one daughter died in infancy; one is now Mrs. Dr. Thomas G. Farr, of Clark Co., Ohio; Clinton married Nancy J. Stein, and resides in Delaware Co., Ind.; Edwin married Dorcas Redman. Mr. Sweny served in the Ohio militia some ten years - first, as Lieutenant, then promoted to Major, then to Colonel. Mr. Sweny and wife traveled the journey of life together nearly fifty-five years. On March 31, 1874, was celebrated their "golden wed- ding," on which occasion were assembled many friends of former years, with most of their children and grandchildren of this venerable pair. Music, songs, hymns and anecdotes enlivened the occasion; a sumptuous dinner was served with neither whisky or wine, but the native spirits glowed as if the old gray heads were no longer gray, and within them beat the bursting heart of buoyant youth. Mr. Sweny was a much honored and respected citizen of Warren County. In religious faith, he was a Swedenborgian. He died in February, 1879; his wife still survives, in her 80th year, and resides on the old home place. The subject of this sketch, the youngest child of Col. James Sweny, was married Nov. 6, 1856, to Miss Clara, daughter of Job and Catharine (White) Mathews; he was born in New Jersey, Monmouth County, in 1789; they were married March 27, 1817, and emigrated to Ohio the same year and settled near Utica, in Warren County. They had four sons and seven daughters. Mr. Sweny and wife have three sons and four daughters-Mary, born June 4, 1858; Hellen, born June 8, 1859; James, born Aug. 23, 1860; Kate, born Aug. 7, 1862; Lucy, born Sept. 23, 1864; Edward, born May 14, 1866, and Karl, born July 10, 1876. Mr. Sweny located where he now lives in 1857, where he has since resided; has a fine farm, upon which he has erected a good house, and has a pleasant home and residence. In 1874, he purchased the machinery and commenced the manufacture of tile and is doing a good business and is a much respected citizen of Clear Creek Township. |
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This page created 2 Aug 2005 and last updated
31 July, 2010
© 2005 Arne H Trelvik
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