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==Biographical Sketches==

==Biographical Sketches==

The gentleman, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, May 27th, 1846. He is the fourth in the list of twelve children—six sons and six daughters, of Samuel and Mary Swartz, whose pioneer farmer home was for many years a model of thrift, loveliness, and family adornment. His mother, still living, well deserves to rank among that ideal class whose price is far above rubies. His father also was a man who met Solomon's distinctive tribute, as one who was for many years "known in the gates" and "sitting among the elders of the land."

[[File:SwartzHiramB-Mayor-Judge.jpg|thumb]]The gentleman, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, May 27th, 1846. He is the fourth in the list of twelve children—six sons and six daughters, of Samuel and Mary Swartz, whose pioneer farmer home was for many years a model of thrift, loveliness, and family adornment. His mother, still living, well deserves to rank among that ideal class whose price is far above rubies. His father also was a man who met Solomon's distinctive tribute, as one who was for many years "known in the gates" and "sitting among the elders of the land."

Amid such environments he grew to manhood. During his earlier years his employments were such as are common to farmers' boys in pioneer days. He attended the district school in winter,—made progress in study and books, and laid a few foundation stones upon which some parts of his life's structure yet rest. To these early years, under the tutelage of father's and mother, whose chief ambitions were to impress upon the minds of their children such principles as would make possible lives of usefulness and honor, Judge Swartz, like myriads of others, is deeply indebted for that probity of character, and those justifiable aspirations that prominently characterize him as a citizen in all the passages of life. In these immature years, when the mind is taking its bent, when youthful ambitions are shaping themselves for manhood achievements, no influences have ever been found more prolific or potential for good, than those which the farm with such accompaniments, has afforded. The farmer's home,—the chaste purity of its teachings,—the broad fields,—the forest—the orchard—and the meadow—hill and dale,— the song of birds, and the hum of bees—the laughing brook—the silent river—all the opulence of beaut3' that nature spreads out with lavish hand, are teachers of youth whose lessons are never forgotten.

Amid such environments he grew to manhood. During his earlier years his employments were such as are common to farmers' boys in pioneer days. He attended the district school in winter,—made progress in study and books, and laid a few foundation stones upon which some parts of his life's structure yet rest. To these early years, under the tutelage of father's and mother, whose chief ambitions were to impress upon the minds of their children such principles as would make possible lives of usefulness and honor, Judge Swartz, like myriads of others, is deeply indebted for that probity of character, and those justifiable aspirations that prominently characterize him as a citizen in all the passages of life. In these immature years, when the mind is taking its bent, when youthful ambitions are shaping themselves for manhood achievements, no influences have ever been found more prolific or potential for good, than those which the farm with such accompaniments, has afforded. The farmer's home,—the chaste purity of its teachings,—the broad fields,—the forest—the orchard—and the meadow—hill and dale,— the song of birds, and the hum of bees—the laughing brook—the silent river—all the opulence of beaut3' that nature spreads out with lavish hand, are teachers of youth whose lessons are never forgotten.