(Keithsburg News - March 30, 1882)

Jerome A. Swezy. of Keithsburg, died Sunday evening, March 26, 1882, of asthmatic and tubercular trouble, with which he had suffered a great deal for several years.

Mr. Swezy was born in Goshen, Orange county, New York, August 15, 1815, and was consequently nearly 68 years of age. He removed to Quincy, Ill., in a very early day, and was married at that place to Miss Mary J. Atkinson, October 12, 1843. He removed in 1846 to Oquawka where he engaged in the mercantile trade to 1850 when he went to California by overland, taking with him four two-horse teams and ten or twelve men. He remained in California until the following December and then started home on a steamship. At Grenada, Central America, he took down with a severe fever and being unable to travel lost his ship passage. He remained at Grenada until the following June, where he, in connection with Mr. S. P. Jones, who cared for him during his illness, conducted a hotel. When he reached his home at Oquawka from Grenada, he was very sick, and owing to the precarious condition he was in, went with his wife to his boyhood home in New York. When he recovered his health he returned to Oquawka, and removed at once to Keithsburg which was in November 1852. Since that time he resided in Keithsburg until his death, where he was engaged in business as book-keeper, grain buyer, lumber dealer, real estate dealer, & ___. In all his business and social relations in life he was always honorable, and was universally respected.

Mr. and Mrs. Swezy had born to them 13 children, 6 of whom are living. His companion also survives him, and she and the children have the sympathy of all.

(Excerpt from the History of Mercer County; 1882)

"JEROME A. SWEZY, deceased, was born in Goshen, Orange county, New York, August 15, 1815. He removed to Quincy, Illinois, in an early day, and was there married to Miss Mary J. Atkinson October 12, 1843. He removed to Oquawka in 1846, where he engaged in merchandising till 1850, when he started on an overland trip to California taking with him two four-horse teams and twelve men. He remained in California till the following December, when he started home via the Isthmus, on a passenger steamer. At Grenada, Central America, he was taken down with a severe fever and remained there till the following June. When he reached his home he was still in feeble health, and with a view to improving it, went with his wife to his boyhood home in New York. In 1852, having regained his health, he returned and settled in Keithsburg. During his thirty years residence here, he was in business as book-keeper, shipper, lumber and real estate dealer. He died March 26, 1882. His wife and six children survive him. The latter are: Emma, wife of C. T. Combs; Jessie C.; Somerville E., wife of H. C. Cook, whose biography follows; Hattie E.; Georgia A.; and Huber."

All names inscribed on stone:

J. A. Swezy
Died March 26, 1882
Aged 66 ys. 7 ms. 11 ds.

Jerome S.
Died Feb. 24, 1848
Aged 3 ys. 2 ms. 7 ds.

William J.
Died May 17, 1851
Aged 10 mos. 20 ds.

George A.
Died May 9, 1852
Aged 5 ys. 7 ms. 6 ds.

Henry
Died July 30, 1853
Aged 1 yr. 19 ds.

Nannie A.
Died July 7, 1855
Aged 9 mos. 7 ds.

Ezra B.
Died Aug. 16, 1863
Aged 5 mos. 18 ds.

Nattie B.
Died Sept. 9, 1870
Aged 7 mos. 13 ds.