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The Swiggett family came from Iowa to Kansas in April, 1886. They settled on a homested near Collyer, where the children received their elementary education. Although they experienced pioneer life and hard times, they maintained -a hospitable home that was open to any needy wayfarer. In 1899, the family moved to WaKeeney where they made their home.
The father, Francis C. Swiggett, was born November 6, 1837, at Seaford, Delaware, and died April 24, 1906, WaKeeney, Kansas. He moved to Cambridge City, Indiana, and from there enlisted in an Indiana Artillery regiment and served throughout the Civil War.
After moving to WaKeeney, Mr. Swiggett served several years as commissioner of the third district and was elected probate judge in 1904. He had joined the Masonic Fraternity in 1859, so was the oldest Mason in WaKeeney at the time of his death. He was a member of the G.A.R. and the Presbyterian Church, having joined it August 1, 1904.
In 1870, he married Eustine Mosbaugh at Cambridge City, Indiana. She had been born April 5, 1838, in New York City and as a small girl had moved with her parents to Cambridge City, where she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Swiggett were the parents of six children, one of whom, Lemuel, died in infancy. The other children were Mary, Samuel Ashland, William Hinds, Walter Forest and Margaret.
Mary Swiggett Acre Smith was their oldest daughter. She was born October 16, 1870, in Cambridge City, Indiana, and died October 24, 1957, WaKeeney. She was the mother of four children: Margaret Acre Jones, Sue Acre Porter, Joe and Clyde Acre.
Samuel A. Swiggett was born December 29, 1872, at Cambridge City Indiana and died March 26, 1952, WaKeeney. He worked for the Internal Revenue in Washington, D. C., until his retirement in 1949. After many years of service he returned to WaKeeney to make his home. He was preceeded in death by his first wife, Mrs. Lida Jones Swiggett and his second wife, Mrs. Grace Kiess Swiggett.
William Hinds Swiggett was born November 3, 1875, Cambridge City, Indiana, and died August 13, 1953 in WaKeeney. In his early years he taught school at Ogallah and Collyer. Later he did clerical work.
Walter Forest Swiggett was born July 20, 1877, Allerton, Iowa, and died January 1, 1948. Walter taught school at Ogallah and Collyer and later was employed by the Gilschrist Lumber Company, Greeley, Colorado. While there he was stricken with paralysis and returned to WaKeeney in 1906, where he resided in the family home with Margaret.
In 1910, he established a coal and produce business in WaKeeney, which he managed until 1926. In November, 1932, he was elected probate judge of Trego County, serving for fourteen years. He made many friends and was always willing to give his assistance in any way possible for the welfare of his friends or his community.
Margaret Mosbaugh Swiggettwas born July 26, 1878, Allerton, Iowa, and died October 26, 1971, WaKeeney. After graduating from high school, Margaret worked as a Deputy County Treasurer until she went to learn the millinery trade at Gages, in Chicago, Illinois. Upon her return, she was employed by Mrs. Nettie Moore as milliner in her store. Later Margaret served as Trego County Register of Deeds for eight years, following which she became self-employed as an abstracter until her retirement. Margaret was very civic minded, having an interest in education, politics, religious and community affairs.
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