City Commercial Club he is a director and the treasurer. He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and for several years has been a vestryman and chairman of the finance committee. In politics he is a Democrat, and he was appointed by Governor Stephens one of the members of his staff in 1897, with the rank of brigadier general. Mr. Swinney was married, in 1882, to Miss Ida Lee, daughter of John Lee, a wealthy banker and farmer of Howard County, Missouri. Mrs. Swinney is a lady of culture and refinement, and was educated at Haynes' Academy at Boonville, Missouri.

Switzler, Lewis M., judge of probate court, Columbia, Missouri, was born June 20, 1841, in Howard County, Missouri. His parents were Simeon and Elizabeth (Cornelius) Switzler, the former a native of Virginia and the latter a native of Kentucky, who shortly after their marriage removed to the State of Missouri, locating at Fayette, where the father, who was a farmer and trader, engaged himself as a merchant for a time. The son began his education in the ordinary country schools, devoting a part of the year to such farm labor as he was capable of performing. This continued until 1857, when the father having gone to California to engage in gold mining, the mother removed to Huntsville, in Randolph County. At that place the Baptist denomination had erected Mount Pleasant College, and that institution opened its doors immediately after her arrival, her son being the first pupil whose name was enrolled. The first president was the Rev. William Thompson, a noted divine and orator, and it was under his instruction that Lewis pursued his studies until he had almost reached the limits of the curriculum. He then went to Columbia in 1860. There he entered the University of Missouri, remaining until he had completed the greater part of the academical course. In 1864 he took up law reading in the office of Boyle and Wellington Gordon, and in due course of time was admitted to the bar. He was soon busily engaged, his practice taking him into the Federal as well as the local State courts, and for some years his professional duties received all his attention. Later, however, other claims made demands upon him, and in later years his practice was largely put aside on account of the exactions of official

position. For a number of years after completing his academic studies he rendered service as assistant editor of the "Missouri Statesman," of which his brother, Colonel W. F. Switzler, was editor and proprietor, and for some time succeeding he had the sole editorial management. In this position he acquitted himself most creditably, and gave good reason for the conclusion that were he not more partial to the law, he should have chosen journalism as his calling. In 1872 lie entered the senior class in the law department of the University of Missouri, from which he was graduated in the year following. There was no real necessity for his taking this instruction, for he had already been a member of the bar for several years, and was engaged in practice. But the law department of the university was opening for its first term, and he was enabled to take the course without neglecting his business. Judge Philemon Bliss was dean of the law faculty. There were five graduates, of whom Mr. Switzler was one, and he was selected by the faculty as one of the orators to represent his class on commencement day, thus enjoying the distinction of being the first law graduate of the university to deliver a law oration in that institution. For a number of years afterward he was a member of the board of examiners of the law department. A considerable portion of his life has been passed in public position, but always in the line of his profession, where knowledge of law was an important requisite. The best possible evidence of his high qualification is given in his repeated re-election to the position which he now occupies, one involving the most intricate and delicate legal points, in questions of property and relationship, where the rights of parties in interest require adjudication based upon such deep legal knowledge and entire probity as mark the official record of Judge Switzler. The first public office conferred upon him was that of recorder of Columbia. Afterward he was elected city attorney, in which position he acquitted himself creditably. In 1892 he first entered upon the duties of the position for which he is qualified in so pre-eminent a degree. That year, Judge Garth having resigned the office of judge of the probate court, Governor Francis appointed Mr. Switzler to the vacant position. The petition to the Governor, asking the appoint

ment, was the most numerously signed of any recommendation of an individual ever sent out from the county. In the fall following Judge Switzler was elected to the position to fill out the unexpired part of the term. In 1894 he was renominated without opposition at the Democratic primary election, and his election followed. In 1898 he was again elected, and without opposition. He has always been a Democrat, and active in the interests of the party at every opportunity. He was married, August 30, 1893, at Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Nellie T., daughter of the late T. J. Barrett, of Boone County, Missouri.

Switzler, William Franklin, journalist, author and politician, Columbia, Missouri, was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, March 16, 1819. His parents were Simeon and Elizabeth (Cornelius) Switzler. Simeon Switzler was born in Orange County, Virginia; his parents were natives of Switzerland. His wife was of Irish descent, and was born in Madison County, Kentucky. Simeon Switzler and wife moved from Nicholasville, Kentucky, to Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, in 1826, bringing with them their two sons, William and Newton, of whom William was the older. Here, in the winter of 1826-7, being then in his seventh year, William first attended school. The building occupied was a log house, with an immense fire-place. Lawrence J. Daley, an experienced and well known teacher, was in sole charge. Mr. Daley was father of four daughters, beautiful and well educated, who became the wives of Samuel C. Major, Dr. John A. Talbot, William C. Boone and John P. Sebree, all gentlemen of high character and distinction. Of the ladies named Mrs. Sebree alone survives. In 1830 Simeon Switzler bought a farm four miles from Franklin, in Howard County, and to his work as a farmer added that of a stock-breeder and dealer, besides carrying on a general store in New Franklin. Upon this farm was reared William F. Switzler, whose young life, for the greater part of the year, was taken up with such labor as devolves upon a boy on a farm, work which he industriously and faithfully performed. In the fall and winter months he attended Mount Forest Academy, an excellent school for that day, and at a short distance from his home. From the first

he gave evidence of an intense desire for knowledge, and now that opportunity came to him, his fondness for books and his ambition to master that which they contained, developed into almost a passion. English grammar, composition, geography, astronomy, arithmetic and history he absorbed as if their learning were no task. Statistics, civil government and current politics he read and reveled in as would most boys in the "Arabian Nights," or "Don Quixote." His one recreation, and, at the same time, one of the most effective means to his education, was the debating society, which in its day developed a rare class of deep thinkers, shrewd reasoners and vigorous declaimers. Having acquired a thorough knowledge of the elementary branches, and with a mind fairly well stored with general information, young Switzler, now twenty years of age, began to think of his future, and to what purpose it should be devoted. He determined upon the law, and in 1839-40, while yet upon the farm, he read Blackstone, Kent and Chitty, with such other standard works as he could buy or borrow, receiving occasional instruction from Judge Abiel Leonard and Colonel Jo Davis, of Fayette, old school lawyers of ability and position. In January, 1841, now arrived at man's estate, Mr. Switzler went to Columbia, where he made his home with an uncle, William Cornelius, and prosecuted his law studies in the office of Major James S. Rollins. In the following year, 1842, he was admitted to the bar, and engaged in practice until 1845, when he laid his law books aside for what he considered a more important and more congenial occupation. In July, 1841, he had become editor of the "Columbia Patriot," a weekly Whig newspaper, and in January, 1843, joined with Younger J. Williams, a practical printer, long since deceased, in purchasing it. Here began the development of that high ability as a journalist and author which has made the name of Colonel Switzler known and regarded with pride, not only in every nook and corner of Missouri, but widely throughout the West. Discerning journalism as peculiarly his field of labor and influence, and seeking to follow his individual conscience and bent of mind, without restriction or limitation by others, in January, 1843, he established in Columbia the "Missouri Statesman," which he owned and edited until

1885, when he was appointed to an important government position in Washington City, necessitating his retirement from the paper.

In this connection it is important to note that throughout the troublous war days the "Statesman" was at all times a staunch Union journal.

In 1893 Colonel Switzler became editor and publisher of the "Missouri Democrat," at Boonville, Missouri, and remained so occupied for five years, adding to his well established reputation as a journalist of ability, enterprise and cleanliness. His literary tastes and ability forbade his limiting his effort to newspaper work alone. For many years his pen has produced valuable contributions to newspaper, magazine and book literature, upon historical, political and literary topics. His most important work is "Switzler's Illustrated History of Missouri," published in 1880, a large volume, generally recognized as a standard authority upon the subjects of which it treats. Colonel Switzler's ability and widely extended influence as a journalist made him a conspicuous figure in national politics. Not that he was a politician, in the common sense of the word, but, with his strong convictions upon any and all questions affecting the country, he was ever looked upon as a really representative man, and, as such, he was put forward as an exponent and leader. He was elected to the Missouri Legislature in 1846, and again in 1848, before he was thirty years of age, and again in 1856. He was a member of the Whig national convention at Baltimore, in 1860, and it was upon his motion that Edward Everett was nominated for the vice presidency. In that momentous campaign, when party feeling was bitter beyond describing, he was a candidate for presidential elector in a district extending to the Iowa line, and he visited and spoke in every county therein. In 1862 President Lincoln, whose election he had opposed, recognizing Colonel Switzler as a staunch Unionist, appointed him to act in conjunction with the Honorable John S. Phelps, to go to Little Rock, Arkansas, and establish a loyal State government, Mr. Phelps being named as provisional Governor, and Colonel Switzler as provisional Secretary of State. In 1863, also by presidential appointment, Colonel Switzler was commissioned provost marshal, from which is derived his military title, for the Ninth

Congressional District of Missouri, to carry out the provisions of the law for the enrollment of citizens held to perform military service, his headquarters being first at Mexico, and then at St. Charles. In 1864 he supported General McClellan for the presidency, and he was removed from office in October of the same year, William Lovelace being appointed to succeed him. In 1865 he represented his senatorial district in the socalled Drake convention, a convention called to form a new State constitution. In that body he opposed the iron-clad expurgatory oath for voters, lawyers, clergymen and school-teachers, and the ousting ordinance. His opposition was fearless and persistent, and against great odds, and when the new organic act, so obnoxious to him, was submitted to the people, he antagonized it vigorously by speech and press up to the eve of election. In 1866 and 1868 Colonel Switzler was the Democratic candidate for Congress from his district, and at each election was elected over his Republican opponent, notwithstanding the fact that several thousand Democratic voters were disfranchised by the "Drake Constitution." This case is one of the curious chapters in Missouri history. In spite of his election on the face of the returns, Colonel Switzler was "counted out" by the Secretary of State, and certificates of election in the respective cases, were given to the candidates whom he had opposed. He contested their rights to the seats held by them, before the House of Representatives, in Congress. In both cases, after a full hearing, Republican election committees reported in Colonel Switzler's favor, and in both cases a Republican house voted down the report of its own committee, and confirmed the contested Congressmen in possession of the seats occupied by them.

In 1875, in response to a published call, signed by nearly 800 citizens, without regard to party, Colonel Switzler was elected to the constitutional convention of the State of Missouri. In that body he was chairman of the committee on education, and was the author of much of the article (XI) upon that subject in that instrument. In this he took an honest pride. He had ever been an ardent friend of education, and had served for many years as a trustee of Columbia Female Academy, of the Christian Female College, and as curator of the State University. In 1885

Colonel Switzler was appointed by President Cleveland to the position of Chief of the Bureau of Statistics of the Treasury Department, in Washington City, in which he not only enjoyed a signal evidence of the high estimate placed upon his ability and personal worth by the chief executive, but he achieved a national reputation as a statistician. An unusually lengthy chapter of valuable public service could not find a more fitting close.

For more than a half century Colonel Switzler has been a consistent, unobtrusive member of the Presbyterian Church. In his personal habits he has been a lifelong abstainer from liquor; and in his convictions an active friend of temperance. August 31, 1843, he was married to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of the late John B. Royall, formerly of Halifax County, Virginia, and niece of the late General Sterling Price. The surviving children of this marriage are well established in useful and honorable positions in life. Irwin Switzler has been for many years registrar of the Missouri State University; Warren Switzler, a graduate of the law college of the State University, is engaged in a lucrative practice in Omaha, Nebraska; Camilla is now the wife of J. Scott Branham, a prominent business man of Columbia, Missouri. Mrs. Switzler was a highly educated woman, a consistent Christian, and a most devoted wife and mother. She died, September 11, 1879, in the fifty-ninth year of her age. Colonel Switzler remains a widower, and makes his home with his son, Irwin, in Columbia. Although a close student, and industrious of habit all through life, and notwithstanding many exposures, temptations incident to public life, in travel, and in outdoor speaking during fourteen presidential campaigns, Colonel Switzler enjoys robust health, and certainly this generation can present few so well preserved men. His mental vigor is as unimpaired as is his memory, voice and physical frame. He continues to perform a great deal of literary work, and whatever comes from his pen concerning the history of Missouri, the life and services of its public men, yet living or passed away, is accepted as worthy of all credence by the great reading public, who recognize how ample has been his opportunity to observe, and how marvelous is his recollection of men, events and dates. As a speaker he is forceful, logical and entertaining, full of re

sources and illustrations, and one of the best and ever-ready extemporaneous speakers in the State, with wonderful clearness of enunciation for popular oratory. Even now, in the eightieth year of his age, he is engaged upon some important chapters for the present work, "The Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri," and it is but truth to say that no other hand could pen the matter so clearly and accurately. Such a life as that of Colonel Switzler is not to be dismissed without a word of reflection. A philosopher has said that the only true history is biography. The biography of Colonel Switzler, journalist, author, politician, exemplary citizen and public official of sturdy integrity, is a lesson and inspiration for all the people. Voluminous writer as he has been, uncleanliness or venom never came from his pen. Active in politics, dissimulation and trickery were unknown in him. Such a man belongs to no State or city. His life and example are for all, and all owe to such a man gratitude and honor.

Swofford, James J., wholesale merchant, was born August 25, 1852, in Franklin County, Illinois. His parents were James and Malinda Jane (Dixon) Swofford. The first member of the Swofford family of whom there is reliable mention made was James Swofford, who was a commissioned officer in the British Army. In 1715, when still a young man, he resigned his commission and connected himself with the Pretender's forces. At the battle of Sheriff Muyr they were defeated, and young Swofford, with others of his company, fled from the country to escape imprisonment and probable death. He was next heard of in 1728, when he came to America and settled in Randolph County, North Carolina. Shortly after his location in this country he was chosen, no doubt because of his military experience, to lead an expedition of the settlers against the Tuscarora Indians, their continued depredations having become quite intolerable to the settlers. It is a matter of history that a "good, sound thrashing" was administered to the Indians, and tradition tells us that Captain Swofford was, on his return, congratulated by Sir William Irskine, the commander of the British forces, who, at the same time recognized Swofford as the erstwhile British officer. Realizing that his identity had been discovered, the latter offered to accompany