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Swain, Samuel

Particulars of the death of Mr. Samuel Swain, which occurred at Nunda on Saturday, February 7th, are given in the Nunda News. Mr. Swain was about in his usual health on Friday 6th, and left his son’s store about 8 pm for his residence, accompanied by his dog. The dog went into the house and, Mr. Swain, not appearing as usual, members of the family went to the door only to find him lying upon the steps outside unconscious, having fallen in a fit of apoplexy. He was wholly unconscious and only lived about an hour and a half.

Mr. Swain has been a prominent citizen of and widely known in both Allegany and Livingston counties for more than half a century. The following interesting details are taken from a biographical sketch in the Nunda News:

He was born in Northward, N.H. in 1809, and came to Oakland, then known as Messengers Hollow, in 1818, from there to Nunda in 1825, from here to Swains in 1856, and back here in 1870. His first business in Nunda was clerk for Abner Dean. With his father and brother David, they built the grist mill on Mill street, and with his father and Edward, erected the woolen factory, afterwards used as a tannery. He was one of the building committee that had charge of the Baptist church, and was one of the Board of trustees for many years.

About the year 1844, he bought some 9,000 acres of land in Allegany county, and soon afterward, with others, agitated the building of the Buffalo branch of the present Erie railroad. He gave the right of way for the road through all his land, and purchased all the right of way for the company between Attica and Hornellsvile. He was made one of the Directors of the road, and the station known as Swains was named after him. He represented Grove on the Board of Supervisors in Allegany county for eleven years in succession, and resigned the office of Supervisor when he retuned to Nunda in 1870. He was Justice of the Peace for eight years, and in all of these positions discharged the duties with credit to himself and honor to his constituents.

Mr. Swain took an active part in the Rochester, Nunda and Pa. Railroad and was a Director and Vice President. At the time of his death he was one of the Village Trustees of Nunda, and next year would have been President of the Board. The deceased, as will be seen by this brief biographical sketch, has led a long and active life, serving the public in many and important official positions. In politics he was an ardent and active Democrat, and has always been elected to office on that ticket.

He leaves a wife, two sons, Samuel Jr. and Charles, and three daughters - Julie, Anna and Kittie, to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and father. His brother Alfred, who is 81 years old, and now a resident of Grove, also survives him.

February 20, 1885 Wellsville Daily Reporter
Researched & Submitted by Mary Rhodes