was born in Germany in 1832. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Luca) Schwady, both natives of Germany, where his father died. His mother came to America, and died in Ripley County, Ind. They reared eight children: Frederick, Ernst, Kasper, Mary, Flora, Joseph Wilhelm and John, all reared in Germany but Joseph and John. Joseph was nineteen years old when he left the native shores of "faderland," and immigrated to America to try his fortune in the New World. He landed at Cincinnati, and came down at once to Ripley County, where he engaged in farm labor as a hand, subsequently renting land for nine years. In 1868 he purchased 120 acres where he now lives, and to this he has added seventy more. He has always been an industrious hard working man, and has a fair share of the comforts of life as a return for his labor. Mr. Schwady was married, in 1854, to Mary Clifford, native of Germany, who came to this country the same year with him, and by this wife five children were born: John, William, Elizabeth, Jane and Katie, all living. Emma died at the age of ten. Mr. Schwady is one of the thrifty farmers of the county, and what they have he and Mrs. Schwady have earned by their hard labor. The family is associated with the Lutheran Church at Florence, and is well respected.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell