Nathan Swails
 

NATHAN SWAILS, farmer of Perry township, Boone county; Ind., was born in Decatur county, in the same state, March 17, 1829. His parents were Nathan and Catherine (Barns) Swails natives respectively of Kentucky and Maryland, who had a family of ten children, named --Robert A., William A., John F., Nathan, James H., Josiah, Marshall, Marion, and two infants that died unnamed. Of the others, Nathan and Josiah only survive. Nathan Swails worked on the home farm until he reached his majority, and then farmed on his own account until his enlistment, in 1861 in company E., Seventh Indiana volunteer infantry, for three years He served, however, for eleven months only, when he was discharged on account of disability. In 1863 he again tried the fortunes of war and enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana volunteer infantry, again for three years. After doing good and faithful service until the close of the conflict, he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis in September, 1865, when he returned home and resumed farming. As a reward for his gallantry while in the service, he now receives a pension of $10 per month. In 1877 he came to Boone county and settled on the sixty-acre farm his father had given him, and here he has ever since resided. He was married, in 1850 to Eliza Lawrence, who bore him two children, viz: Anna B., wife of A. Clingenpeel, and Anderville L., deceased. His wife died in 1856, and in 1858 he married Elizabeth Burns; to this union there were also born two children -- William H., of Decatur county, and Mary Frances. The second Mrs. Swails died in 1860. In 1867 Mr. Swails renewed his matrimonial obligations by marrying Mary E. Robertson, who was born in Bartholomew county, Ind. and is a daughter of James and Minerva (Davis) Robertson and this marriage has been blessed by the birth of five children, viz: James W.; John B., Lulu M.; Oscar B. and Effie M. The first born of this union was early called away. Mr. and Mrs. Swails are Baptists in their religious faith, and in his politics Mr. Swails is a republican. He has a neat and well cultivated farm of forty acres, is industrious and progressive, and has won the esteem of the citizens of Perry township through his close attention to his own affairs and his non-interference with the affairs of his neighbors.

Transcribed by: Chris Brown
Source: "A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," page 502, published in 1895 by A. W. Bowen & CO. Chicago