U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Swisher, Charles W. (1867-1927) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Author: George Richmond, Pres.; C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Pages 489-490, Charles W. Swisher HON. C. W. SWISHER, a prominent young business man of Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia, who is identified with much of the material development of that section, was born in Marion County, West Virginia, May 26, 1867. He is a son of Alpheus and Abigail (Van Gilder) Swisher, who were of German extraction. Alpheus Swisher was a prominent lumber man for many years, and was well known through Marion County, where he died in October, 1901. The mother, a member of an old and honorable Virginia family, still survives. C. W. Swisher received his education in the public schools of Marion County and started out in life as a mine boy in the employ of the Watsons, now the Fairmont Coal Company, his humble occupation being the driving of mules. The lad was, however, capable of a higher grade of work and his superiors soon found it out and he was continually promoted from one position to another. In 1889 he became superintendent of the Britton Coal Company, on the Monongahela River, in Marion County, and he continued with this corporation for three years, resigning the position then in order to enter the real estate business. He recognized the wide field in that line and few men in that activity have been more successful. His sales in valuable coal and timber lands have caused much property to change hands, and he has been the means of attracting a large amount of capital to the State. Many of the coal mines, gas and oil wells, as well as electric roads, have been developed through his efforts in calling the attention of outside capital to the section where his operations are chiefly centered. While promoting enterprises for the public good, Mr. Swisher has not neglected his own interests and is a stockholder in the Fairmont & Clarksburg Electric Railroad Company; a director in the Fairmont Savings Bank; in 1903 he became interested in the Elkins syndicate: and is a stockholder and director in the Charleston & Kanawha Water & Light Company, and in other minor enterprises. He owns much coal and oil land of a valuable character. Starting out in life with no capital, his has been a remarkable career. Successful in business, he has also been successful in politics, and in 1899 he was elected a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1903 was elected to the State Senate. He is actively identified with the Republican party. Fraternally Mr. Swisher belongs to Fairmont Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., Fairmont Chapter, R. A. M.; Crusade Commandery, No. 6, K. T., and the Mystic Shrine. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information: --------------------------------------------------------------------- BIRTH REGISTER, Marion County, WV; Page 52, Line 359 Born: May 25th, 1867 Name: SWISHER, Charles W. Son of: Alpheus and Abigail Swisher MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, Monongalia County WV, Page 58 Charles W. Swisher (age 23) son of Alpheus and Abigail Swisher Edith R. Devault (age 18) daughter of E. J. and Helen Devault were married on 23-Dec-1891 in Monongalia County by J. F. Chenoweth, Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church SOURCE: pg 183, WPA Cemetery Readings in WV, Fairmont Magisterial Distr. burial: Woodlawn Cemetery Swisher, Charles Wesley (b. 5-26-1867, d. 4-9-1927) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1900 Census, Marion County WV Fairmont city, 5th Ward, ED:53, Sheet 2B & 3A 702 Fourth St; Lines 100 & 1-3, Enum-Dwelling #44, Enum-Fam #48 SWISHER, C. W. (Head) born-May-1867, mar-8-yrs, WV-WV-WV, Real-Estate-Agt ", Mrs. C.W. (Wife) born-May-1874, 3-children/3-living, WV-WV-WV ", Hellen (dau) born-Mar-1893, WV-WV-WV ", Sarah (dau) born-Jun-1895, WV-WV-WV ", Lawrence (son) born-May-1898, WV-WV-WV 1910 Census, Kanawha County WV Charleston City, 8th Ward, ED:73, Sheet 4B 1418 Virginia St, Lines 100 & 1-5, Enum-Dwelling #70, Enum-Fam #71 SWISHER, Chas W. (head) age 43, m-18-yrs, WV-WV-Va, Oil, Producer ", Edith R. (wife) age 33, 4-children/3-living, WV-WV-WV ", Hellen (dau) age 16, WV-WV-WV ", Sarah (dau) age 14, WV-WV-WV ", Harold (son) age 9, WV-WV-WV EDWARDS, Pearl (servant), age 35, single, WV-WV-WV, Cook 1920 Census, Caddo County LA Shreveport City, Prec. 9, ED: 64, Sheet 9A, Page 187 1817 Park Ave, Lines 10-15, Enum-Dwelling #144, Enum-Fam #180 SWISHER, Charles (head), age 50, WV-WV-WV, Dealer, Oil Leases ", Edith (wife) age 44, WV-WV-WV PALMER, Samuel (son-in-law) age 27, VA-NC-NC, Dealer, Oil Leases ", Helen (dau) age 26, WV-WV-WV DAVIS, Tom C. (son-in-law) age 32, WV-WV-WV, Dealer, Oil Leases ", Sarah (dau) age 24, WV-WV-WV ---------------------------------------------------------------------