California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 BURTON SWANSON. Owning and occupying the old homestead on which he was born, Burton Swanson holds an assured position among the successful farmers of Tulare county. Actively engaged in the cultivation of the soil, he has spent a busy and useful life, his farm, lying about six miles east of Visalia, bearing evidence to the observer of his skill and ability as an agricult- urist. The son of John Swanson, an honored pioneer of this section of California, his birth occurred March 25, 1858, in the old log house that was built during the Indian war, and which is still standing on the farm. Born in Indiana in 1812, John Swanson lived in his native state until after attaining his ma- jority. Migrating westward, he spent a few years in Illinois, but on hearing the exciting re- ports of the discovery of gold in California he came by boat to this state in 1849. Meeting with fair success as a miner, he went back to Illinois in 1850 for his family, with whom he returned, crossing the plains in 1851 with an emigrant train drawn by ox-teams. Locating at Mud Springs, Eldorado county, he engaged in mining, and also established a trading post, which he conducted for a year. Coming to Tulare county in 1852, he took up land six miles east of Visalia, and partly improved it. Subsequently removing to Lemon Cove, he bought land, and there en- gaged in farming and stock raising until 1862, when his house was washed away by the floods, and his crops destroyed. He then returned to his original homestead, the possession of which he had retained, and here resided until his death, August 12, 1863. He married Hannah Sherman, who was born in Ohio, near Zanesville, and died. May 5, 1877, on the home farm, in Tulare coun- ty. She came of distinguished stock, her father, William Sherman, having been an uncle of William Tecumseh Sherman, one of the generals of the Civil war. Of their union twelve children were born, seven sons and five daughters. In his political affiliations, John Swanson was a true blue Republican. During the Indian troubles that occurred soon after his settling in Tulare county, he took an active part, and as captain of the Home Guards was buried with military honors. The eleventh child in order of birth of the parental household, Burton Swanson received a limited education in the pioneer district school, and from the age of twelve years assisted in the care of the home farm, on which he now lives. He has forty acres of land, which he devotes to alfalfa, hay, grain and stock and also rents forty acres lying near. Here he successfully pursues his pleasant and independent occupation, and his ranch, - with its many substantial improve- ments, is one of the most desirable pieces of property for its size of any in the neighborhood. Mr. Swanson has been twice married. He married first, in Tulare county, Elizabeth Ewing, who was born in Illinois, and died on the home farm, leaving two children, namely: Elmer, at home; and Stella, wife of R. H. Arnett, Jr., of Visalia. Mr. Swanson's second marriage took place in this county, and united him with Christiana R. Anderson, a native of Denmark, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Clara I., Hannah C, and John Henry. Politically Mr. Swanson is a stanch Republican, and belongs to the Fraternal Brotherhood, of Exeter, Tulare county. Mr. Swanson is a man of striking personality, being well proportioned, standing six feet six inches in his stocking feet, and weighing two hundred pounds. He is strong and healthy, with a clear, dark complexion, neither drinking liquors nor using tobacco in any form.