Sam Swank (November 27, 1853- March 7, 1929)

Sam Swank, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Swank, was born November 27, 1853 and died March 7, 1929 at the age of 75 years, three months and 10 days. He was born in Mills County, Iowa, where Council Bluffs now stands, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chas. Coulson, of Hatfield, MO.

In 1875 he was united in marriage to Josephine Reynolds, of Hopeville. Mrs. Swank now lives at Hardin, MT., but was unable to be with him in his illness, because she is confined at the home of her son by ill health. To this union were born eight children, of whom two sons, Leslie and Elger, have preceded him in death. Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Nellie Johnson of Gracemont, OK.; Mrs. Beatrice Johnston of Great Falls, MT.; and three sons, Walter, Elton, and Clair of Hardin, MT. He is survived also by twenty-five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His four sisters and one brother have all preceded him in death.

Mr. Swank lived in southern Iowa until 1900 when he moved to Oklahoma. In 1913 he moved to Kansas and a year later to Hardin, MT., where he lived until last August. At that time he came to his daughter’s, where he stayed until his death.

Several months before his death he accepted his Savior and felt he was ready for death. He was a constant sufferer for many weeks but bore it very patiently.

Funeral services were conducted at the Ringgold Church by Rev. J. R. Nolte. Mr. and Mrs. Mose Pottorff, Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Smithson, Miss Bernice McAninch, Mr. David Cain and Roy Swigart sang “No Night There,” “All is Well With My Soul,” and “We are Going Down the Valley One by One.” Pall bearers were Raymond and Zinn, Hinckley Lose, Everett Smith, Earl and Cecil Coulson. Burial was in the Ringgold Cemetery.