Mount Morris Index, Mount Morris, IL

February 5, 1920 p. 1, col. 2

Death of Susan Swingley

On Monday morning at 6:40 o'clock, the spirit of Mrs. Susan Swingley, widow of the late Michael N. Swingley, took its flight. The end came at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leroy Iler, with whom she had made her home for several years. Mrs. Swingley had been in declining health for some time and about four weeks prior to her death was stricken with a second stroke of paralysis, her decline being quite marked and rapid from that time.

Mrs. Susan Welty Swingley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Welty, was born in Washington County, Maryland. when eight years old she came with her parents in 1846 to the vicinity of Mount Morris, and following marriage lived for many years in Leaf River Township which was the family home through a long term of years when removal was made to the village of Mount Morris, where she spent the remainder of her days.

In August, 1854, she was married in Mount Morris Township to Michael N. Swingley and the union was blessed with two daughters, Mary Etta, the wife of Leroy Iler of Mount Morris, and Cora Lu, the wife of James Wilson, of near Pecatonica, Ill.

On February 5, 1850, she became a member by adult baptism of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Morris and in 1876 she became a member of the Christian Church of North Grove, located near the family home and in which she retained her membership to the end, though since returning to Mount Morris in her later years she was again a regular attendant and communicant at the Lutheran Church, and since her illness she has been and will be missed from her accustomed place at the services. She loved God's house.

She and her husband moved back to Mount Morris in 1904, during which year they were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. The following year in October her helpmate with whom she was privileged to live so many years, was called home.

Besides her two daughters there remain to mourn her departure, six grandchildren. the grandchildren are Mrs. Verna Iler Westfall, Chicago, Ill.; Ray Iler, Chicago; Mrs. Lottie Wilson Leonard, Cherry Valley, Ill., Mrs. Altha Wilson Scott, Miss Nellie Wilson ad Harry Wilson of near Pecatonica. Mrs. Elizabeth Miller of Mount Morris and Arthur Welty of Merrill, Wis., are her surviving brother and sister.

Last December 4, Mrs. Swingley suffered a stroke of paralysis which was followed by a second stroke on January 2, since which time she failed rapidly until she quietly fell asleep with the sweet smile on her lips which had characterized her all through life, on Monday morning at 6:40 o'clock, death coming at the age of 81 years, 5 months and 20 days.

Contributed by Peg Allen Arnold

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