Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



JOHN PIERCE SWIFT
 
            A pioneer of California who resided in Marysville for forty-two 
years was the late John Pierce Swift, who saw active service in the Civil War 
and was a member of Corinth Post No. 80, G.A.R., at Marysville.  He was one of 
the best-known men in this section, where he was active in civic and social 
doings.  He always took an active interest in politics, and was never happier 
than when going over the political history of our country in friendly argument.  
Mr. Swift served as postmaster of Marysville from 1905 to 1909.  He was also 
city councilman in former years, having served under the administration of Mayor 
C. E. Stone.
            Mr. Swift was a native of Haverhill, N. H., born in March, 1841.  
There he grew to young manhood, receiving his education in the excellent schools 
of that New England locality.  On the breaking out of the Civil War, he 
volunteered his services, enlisting in the 15th New Hampshire Regiment of 
Infantry, and served in that great conflict between the North and the South, 
helping to save the cause of the Union.
            In the vicinity of his old home on September 1, 1867, Mr. Swift was 
married to Miss Abbie E. Camp; and in 1870 they came to Marysville, where he 
engaged in contracting and building and, as above stated, served as postmaster.  
Mr. and Mrs. Swift had four children, all now deceased.  He was associated with 
his sons, Frank and Clarence, in the planing-mill business.  After a long and 
useful life, he passed away on July 29, 1913.  His passing was deeply felt by 
all who knew him, but particularly by his family and the circles of the G.A.R., 
in which he had been both prominent and popular, having been commander of the 
local post several times.  Mr. Swift was a man who readily made friends. He was 
a fluent talker, and always took part in the celebration of Memorial Day, this 
being one of the greatest pleasures of his life.  One of the leaders of the 
Republican party in Yuba County, he was for many years chairman of the 
Republican County Central Committee, a position he filled with credit to himself 
and to his party.  He was a member of the Methodist Church.
            Since her husband�s death, Mrs. Swift has continued to reside in 
Marysville, where she is the center of a large circle of warm friends.  She is a 
member of the Women�s Relief Corps, and is also a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, to whose benevolences she is a cheerful contributor.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1165