Needels Genealogy

The Swisher Family

Below are items and transcriptions by: Sue Rebro suerebro@mchsi.com

Letter from Jennie Swisher to Jennie Preston from Oxford Ohio dated November 5, 1928 --- about the fire Dear Sister Jennie - We appreciated your very kind letter very much. sympathy feels good after our terrifying experience. i have not been able to walk since I fell August 15, 1922. Yet I have been getting around from one room to another in a chair with ball bearing castors on the chair legs, just a common cane . . .I have been having neuralgia . . First had spell in Jan. 1910. But have been a shut in since June 1916. I have been happy. Sometimes I did not have a hard spell for weeks. My eyes have been good and I read a lot of good books. I loved my flowers in my window I sewed and knit, get lunch ready till my girls got home at noon. I received many letters so of course I wrote a lot of letters. The fire on the 6th of Sept at 2 o'clock in the morning was the most nerve rocking experience of all my long journey with life. I am seven years older than you only your birthday is August 18 and mine Oct 15 two months less than 7 years. The Tallawanda apartments is a fine big brick building almost fire proof. The top floor where each tenant had a store room not right ?????We had hundreds of dollars worth repairs. so had everybody else. My girls lost much which money never can replace only a small insurance. No fire ??? smoke and water spoiled many books and high polished furniture spoiled by getting soaked with water. Somethings by falling plaster. It was a dreadful shock to me.Florence & I dressed hurriedly or Betty ??. I pushed my chair out window on balcony (fire escaped. I sat on bed. She put my chair out down onto balcony. Set me into window then got out lifted me down onto my chair. By then the fire chief came up the ladder, took me in his right arm with left hand, held onto rung after rung and held around his neck with left arm and hand. With my right hand caught round avter ??until we went down a 30 foot ladder to safety on the land. Then fire chief carried me to a home near by. Some one took my chair down ladder. Amy [not sure I read this name right] pushed it into this house. Fire chief set me in my chair. Florence came down ladder by her self. Amy Abee got down another fire escape. It was a dreadful strain on the three girls. It was the worst on Florence as she had lifted me. I was unable to get out of bed for 21 days, by 24 day I pushed to bathroom took of myself and I tell well enough to care for myself. We all are thankful all got out. No one hurt. I had told it many times. Stanley was saved like John Wesley from a burning building by a wise providence and that he would live to do much good for humanity. I heard of your barn burning. It seem we all have had our tribulations a plenty. And yet have so much to be thankful for and praise God for his Goodness to us day by day. I was truly glad to know you were well and to know about your garden. I loved my garden & flowers all gave me pleasure. My last garden I had in 1916, June 20, 1916 something got bad in my back and left hip. Loving your sister Jennie Swisher.

Letter to Jennie from Aunt Jennie Swisher (Henry Clay Swisher's wife -- Henry Clay is bro. to Jennie) in Oxford, Ohio dated Oct. 11, 1931. The return address is Mrs. Jane Swisher, The tallawanda, Oxford, Ohio Her son Edgar who lives in Hartford Ct. since Jan 1910. Says: J. A. Swisher of Decatur Il. is working on the genealogy of the John Swisher family, your grandfather who came to Ohio from Sussex Co., She is going to write to Let Stevenson and children. They ought t be able to tell if Mary john Swishers wife name was Winterstein. Helen Swisher went to Ohio State Library to make research on Ohio Pioneer history. Heard that John Swisher, Abraham Swisher and a ? Winterstein paid taxes in Fairfield Co. in 1806. Finds the family research very interesting. Your birth date is Aug. 18 mine is Oct 15. I am 82. She thinks John W. Kile and Rachel Kile Swisher mother was a Winterstein. Does Jennie know this and also where and how the Joh Le Stevensons are related to Jacob Swisher. J. A. Swisher in Decatur wants to get it back to the Revolut war to Abraham Swisher - younger Swisher could join the sons of the Rev and has more questions. This may have promped Jennies writing her family history. [Jennie Nau]

Letter to Jennie from Chas Swisher - is a post card dated Feb. 1888 Says Grandpa has been ailing with a bad cold since last Wed. and wants her to come visit

Easter card from Charles C. Swisher to Jennie Preston dated April 1928 Mailed from Columbus Ohio.

Letter to Jennie from Aunt Jennie Swisher
(Henry Clay Swisher's wife -- Henry Clay is bro. to Jennie)
in Oxford, Ohio dated Oct. 11, 1931
The return address is:
Mrs. Jane Swisher, The Tallawanda, Oxford, Ohio
Her son Edgar who lives in Hartford Ct. since Jan 1910.

pg 27 Decendants of Catp. Abraham & Hannah Christina (Titman) Swisher by Paul R. Orr     Swisher, Charles Clay b. 19 Feb 1869, Madison Twp., Franklin Co., Oh, d. 9 July 1936, Columbus, Franklin Co., Oh bur. Asbury Cem., Madison Twp, Franklin Co., Oh, Md 27 Feb 1896 to Luda Evelyn Chaney b. 6 Dec 1865, Canal Winchester, OH, d. 25 Nov 1938, columbus, bur. Asbury Cem., d/o Edward Kearney * Elizabeth Ann (Tallman) Chaney

Florida Death Index, 1936-1998 Name: Edgar A Swisher Death Date: Nov 1958 County of Death: Hillsborough State of Death: Florida Race: White Social Security Death Index Name: Alice Swisher SSN: 300-40-9630 Last Residence: 43212 Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, Born: 16 Dec 1873 Died: Dec 1968

I believe the following is her obituary that was found in the family Bible of Anah Needels. It was handwritten dated 11-30-1960 Miss Florence Swisher Miss Florence Swisher,103 Griswald St.,Delaware, Ohio passed away, Monday, November 28, at Grant Hospital after a lengthy illness. Miss Swisher was born in Groveport and spent her early life in the Groveport-Canal Winchester area. She had served as Assistant Dean of Murray Teachers College, Murray Ky.; Albion College, Albion, Michigan, Assistant Dean of teachers College at Columbia University, New York. She was a member of Asbury Methodist Church, Delaware and American Women's College Association. Surviving Miss Swisher are two sisters, Miss Alice Swisher and Miss Amy Swisher of Delaware, one brother, J. W. Swisher, Clearwater Florida and several Neice and nephews. Funeral services were held Wed. at Bennett-Brown Funeral Home, Delaware, with Rev. Harry Hull officiating. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware.

A Letter from Amy ( I think it is the correct Amy -- no last name on letter) Letter is to Grace Preston in Groveport Ohio. Amy is in Delaware Ohio., written Dec. 17, 1905 Dear Cousin Grace:- It was quite a pleasant surprise to get a letter from you. I have been a little slow in answering it, but wanted to wait until I knew if anyone of us would be going to Columbus. I have selected a plate for you, pie plate size, done in little roses, very dainty. Hope you will be pleased with it. It is $1.25. If you had written sooner I might have made something especially for you. A cup and saucer is $1.25, Bread and butter plate $1.00, a little dish for .75 or $1.00. Salt shakes $1.00. The only cip and sauce I would sell a lady bought sometime ago, and my two olive dishes are sold (the ones I would sell) and sold six sets of salt shakes. so nothing was left but plates, and no small ones so did the next best, and I will send you the prettiest one of that size. I do hope it will suit you, be sure and let me know. I have been nearly sick with a cold in my head the last week and feeling better, but not the best yet. Have been unusually busy with my teaching, painting china, water-color and burning. We have a Pyrography outift and are doing great stunts in burning. I have made a few things for Christmas besides china, pcitures and placques. Made one little drawn work square that is real pretty. I can appreciate it, for I know how many hours I have worked on it, hope the other person will too. Florence is going to Columbus this Thursday and I will send the plate with her,she will send it to Groveport to Maza's with some one so you can get it there Thursday night or Friday.You can pay Alice if you care to, if it will save you any inconvenience of mailing. I sincerely hope the plate will please you and Aunt Jennie also. It certainly will be a nice present for you to give your Mamma. We are fairly well, everyone well but me, and I've just a cold. We hope to have a happy christmas. The children are coming home Christmas Day. My scribe is fierce, but I have to write in a hurry so much, that I am getting to be a terrible writer unless I take a great deal of time and time is one thing that I haven't a very large supply these days.Hoping the plate reaches your in "one piece" and will be satisfactory. With love to all Lovingly your cousin, Amy

Social Security Death Index Name: Amy Swisher SSN: 302-40-2077 Last Residence: 43212 Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, Born: 14 Aug 1881 Died: Oct 1981 obituary for Amy Swisher The Times, date Oct 21, 1981 Amy M. Swisher, age 100, of First Community Village, died Oct. 10, 1981. Retired professor of Art Education, Miami University, Oxford, 1903 Graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. Member of Asbury United Methodist Church, D. A. R. and Alpha Signa Alpha Sorority, Delaware. Graduate of Groveport High School, class of 1898; life member of Groveport Historical and Preservation Society. Survivied by nephews Mark A. Swisher, Columbus and John J. Swisher, Sun City Az; niece, Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Clearwater, Fla. Services were held Oct 13 at Oak Grove Cemetery, Contributions may be made to Asbury Methodist church Missionary Circles or First Community Fillage Fund.

Social Security Death Index Name: Jacob Swisher SSN: 291-07-1857 Last Residence: 33516 Clearwater, Pinellas, Florida, Born: 13 Dec 1883 Died: Feb 1970 Florida Death Index, 1936-1998 Name: Jacob Wilbur Swisher Death Date: 6 Feb 1970 County of Death: Pinellas State of Death: Florida Age at Death: 86 Race: White Birth Date: 13 Dec 1883

Also from Sue Rebro:

Jacob Swisher: from "My Grandfather and Grandmother" by Jennie Swisher Preston My father and Mother (Jacob and Anah Swisher) went to housekeeping on the farm in a one room log cabin where my country home is now. The first time he bought the farm he paid two dollars and acre, the second time we bought it we paid $80.00 and acre. The first time it was all in timber and the second time it was almost all farm land. My mother was Pa's second wife. His first wife was Louisa Scothorn who only lived a year. She and their child both died. Then he was a widower 9 years. He was 36 when he married my mother and she was 25 years old. There were 5 sons and 4 daughters in our family. One sister passed away when 2 years old. Vianna was her name. She is buried at Asbury Cemetery. Grandfather and Grandmother Needels are both buried at Asbury Cemetery. Grandfather Needels gave the land for the church that stood on the opposite corner from where it now stands. It was a frame building with this in his will when not used for the church, it should revert back to the farm, now owned by Alice Kalb. Cousin Almira Needels gave the land for the new Church were it now stands. My Grandfather Swisher was a great man to ride on horses. I can remember when I was just a little girl that he came to our home when we lived on the pike at our old home. He rode a nice dappled gray horse. Pa said Grandfather Swisher was an assessor for 30 years. He passed away before my dear mother. So you may know I was just a little girl. He and my grandmother (his first wife) are both buried in the Hendren Graveyard. Anah was his second wife. His first wife died after only on one year. of marriage. He did not remarry for 9 years when he was 36 and Anah was 25.

Have copy of news article about the "Death of a Pioneer" Mr. Jacob Swisher one of the pioneers of Madison township died at age 87 . . . was born in Sussex county, N. J. on July 5 1803 and was the oldest child of Jacob and Mary Swisher, Came to Ohio with his parents two years later and settled near Royalton, Fairfield county in 1807 with his parents he came to Madison township, Franklin county. He obtained a common school education, married Eliza Scothorn and resided on the school section until the death of the latter about a year after her marriage. A few years subsequently, he married Anah, daughter of Philemon Needels when he settled on the farm where he resided at his death. Besides farming he was extensively engaged buying and shipping live stock. Before the days of railroads he walked and drove his stock over the mountains to Baltimore. He saw the site of Columbus in the wilderness. In 1840 or 41 he combined with his connection with other gentlemen in Groveport. This was unprofitable and abandoned. The death of his second wife occurred in 1862. He remained on the farm with his family of 7 children and saw them all grow up to honor and comfort him. In the last few months, he was a greater sufferer being afflicted with cancer. During this severe affliction, he was patient and murmured not. He leaves 3 sisters, one daughter, Mrs. G. W. Preston of Lockborne, four sons, John W. Swisher of Marcy Ohio, Henry C. Jacob E. and E. Trimble all farmers residing in Madison township and 20 grandchildren and many friends and acquaintances. He was as active in politics as he was business and held numerous offices being an old time Whig and later Republican and was a constant reader of the State Journal for over 50 years. After this active life of over 4 score, he died at the residence of his youngest son. Jacob E. Swisher with whom he was staying at the time of his last illness. He will be missed as a good neighbor and friend and a kind father.

Letter to Jennie from Beckie Kile her sister dated Jan. 30, 1879 Jennie was visiting there a month ago. Percy and Jen are gettin married this day in Columbus. She has a new girl working for her. Went to Ida Rose wedding and describes food, etc. They will live in Ks. Had a surprise party for her husband Robert. Told him to come home after selling wheat. They said a man came to buy gray horse. Most folks parked buggies in barn. He was tickled. Pa is moving out of home. Home all tore up and looks lonely. Refers to Pa's brother-in-law McKinley. Eds going to have a tin wedding so get your tin nose ready. Pauline got new carpet and chairs. Inquires about Trim.

From "The Descendents of John and Mary (Peterson) Swisher 1780-1980" by Lois Leonard Preston Bulen Jacob was born in Sussex County, New Jersey on 5 July 1803. He moved with his mother and father to Carroll, Ohio in 1805 or 1806. John Long, J. P. married Jacob Swisher to Eliza Scothorn 4 March 1828 in Franklin County, Ohio. About one year later, both she and her child died during childbirth. This so upset him that he did not marry for ten years. Around 1839, he married Anah Needels, daughter of Philemon and Sarah Needels. Anah's father gave her 80 acres of Ohio Timberland upon her marriage. Jacob Swisher was a farmer and bought and sold livestock. In his early career, he walked Baltimore, Maryland driving his livestock, mainly pigs, before him. He did this annually for several years. Jacob and Anah (Needels) had nine children. Anah Needels Swisher died 29 Sept 1862 (age 51) from typhoid and worry about her sons in the Civil War. She is buried in Asbury Cemetery, Ohio. Her husband and oldest son had the fever that fall too. Anah's funeral was held at the home because her husband could not get away at that time. her son John came home from the war discharged due to ill health. Hel left another brother in the hopital at Gallit__ Tn. That brother died in November 1862 (Philemon Needels Swisher), at age 24. John got better and re-enlisted along with another brother Ervin TrimbleJacob Swisher died of stomach cancer, 1 December 1890 and was buried next to his wife in Asbury Cemetery, Ohio.

From the "Needels Family of Franklin County, Ohio" compiled by Theodore Stanton Needels on page 20 says Aney is a Biblical name and is pronounced A'-nee.It is spelled Anah on her tombstone and Anna on her marriage record.

From letter written to: Mrs. Day in Iowa by Jennie Swisher dated June 1923, "Grandfather gave my mother 80 acres of land I presume timber land too. same as your grandmother. the land joined. I also remember of my father telling of your grandmother living close to where we lived so many years on the Columbus and Lancaster Pike before going West. Aunt Rebecca was my mothers youngest sister. Had that my uncle Jno A Needlels was my mothers youngest brother but lately was told a younger Bro Enoch Asbury was the youngest of Grandfathers family. He married against his fathers wishes but only lived a year so left a son named Enoch. I remember of this cousin visiting at our home but of course I was only a little girl when he was a young man. My mother passed away September 29, 1862 aged 51 yrs 5 month and 8 days. Typhoid fever and worry about the sons in civil war caused her early demise. My father and oldest Bro had the same fever that fall. Our mothers funeral was held at the home because Father was not able to go away at that time. On Tues and Bro John came home on Friday the same wk. discharged on account of ill health from the army. Leaving another Bro in Hospital at Galliptor (sp?) Tenn. He died in November 1862. His name was Philomeon Needels Swisher aged 24 years. Then when the call came for 3 months men Bro John had recovered his health he re enlisted in the Service for Our Country. Also my next Bro was old enough. He enlisted too. Leaving only my Father and youngest brother at home to do the farming. Truly we were a much afflicted family in those exciting times. Ervin Trimble Swisher was my Bro who enlisted in 3 mos service. Died March 18, 1908 aged 64 years 3 months and 5 days. Jacob Edward Swisher, my youngest and Bro now living and myself are the only surviving members of our once happy family. We three sisters were younger than the brothers. My fathers people lived to be quite old 2 sisters celebrated their Golden Weddings and lived many years afterward and aunt lived to be 93 years old one 91 years and the aunt lived 60 years on one farm My father was 87 years 4 month old. Died Dec. 1, 1890. Seemingly our next generation have died young One Bro lived to be 75 yrs old. Bro John my oldest Bro was only 56 yrs old