Religious Leader. Born in 1839, his parents were devout Methodists and his father was a trustee of the Wyoming Seminary. Before taking up the ministry, he taught school, studies law and served as a Lieutenant in the Union Army for a time during the Civil War. Following his military service Swallow entered the seminary and became an ordained Methodist minister. His first call was in 1863 to the Milton, Pennsylvania. circuit. This was followed by a series of appointments to various churches in Pennsylvania. He was an eloquent speaker with a forceful manner. He was noted as a successful church builder and as editor of the Central Pennsylvania Methodist, a church newspaper. It was in his position as editor that he began his lifelong crusade against alcohol and corruption in government. He made enemies and he was prosecuted for slander and convicted. The verdict, however, was later reversed by the State Superior Court. By now he was becoming a force within the growing Prohibitionist Party. He was that party’s candidate for mayor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, state legislature, State Treasurer, Governor and finally in 1904 President of the United States. He was not successful in any of these attempts for office but in his bid for the Nation’s highest office he polled nearly a quarter of a million votes nationwide. He retired in 1908 and devoted his remaining years mainly to literary pursuits. He died in 1930 at his home in Harrisburg.
Religious Leader. Born in 1839, his parents were devout Methodists and his father was a trustee of the Wyoming Seminary. Before taking up the ministry, he taught school, studies law and served as a Lieutenant in the Union Army for a time during the Civil War. Following his military service Swallow entered the seminary and became an ordained Methodist minister. His first call was in 1863 to the Milton, Pennsylvania. circuit. This was followed by a series of appointments to various churches in Pennsylvania. He was an eloquent speaker with a forceful manner. He was noted as a successful church builder and as editor of the Central Pennsylvania Methodist, a church newspaper. It was in his position as editor that he began his lifelong crusade against alcohol and corruption in government. He made enemies and he was prosecuted for slander and convicted. The verdict, however, was later reversed by the State Superior Court. By now he was becoming a force within the growing Prohibitionist Party. He was that party’s candidate for mayor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, state legislature, State Treasurer, Governor and finally in 1904 President of the United States. He was not successful in any of these attempts for office but in his bid for the Nation’s highest office he polled nearly a quarter of a million votes nationwide. He retired in 1908 and devoted his remaining years mainly to literary pursuits. He died in 1930 at his home in Harrisburg.
Bio by: Glenn Koons
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