William Turner Swinney Family picture taken about 1925 Carl, Artia, Ruby, Floyd, Geneva, Victor Opal, Gertrude, Marjorie, Wm. T., Evelyn

William Turner Swinney, son of Joseph M. and Artia M. (Mahurin) Swinney was born 2 December 1874 in Wilson County on his father's farm east of LaFontaine. He was raised at this location and on another farm west of Roper. On 24 February 1896 he married Gertrude Melinda Butcher. She was the daughter of Nathaniel M. and Elizabeth (Roach) Butcher who had migrated to northern Wilson County in 1871 from Indiana via Keokuk County, Iowa.

Bill and Gertrude farmed at various locations around Buffalo then lived about 13 years on a farm 1 1/2 miles south of Vilas known as the "Wilkins Place". In January 1935 they purchased 160 acres at the southeast edge of Buffalo (NE 4, S 18, T 27 S, R 16 E) where they lived the remainder of their lives. Bill Swinney was tall and slender with a pleasant disposition, loved horses, home made bread and ice cream and usually kep't a jug of whiskey in the corn crib for friends, neighbors and his numerous son-in-law's.

Gertrude was a marvelous cook, an affectionate wife and mother and a staunch Republican. After she died in January 1947, Mr. Swinney married Mrs. Marguerite (Gunby) Schubert and she survived his death which occurred on Sept. 20, 1961 at his home resulting from an accident with the only tractor he ever owned. Both Bill and Gertrude are buried at the cemetery north of Buffalo. To their marriage were born the following children:

(1) Ruby Mabel, born 5 March 1897 (Ralph Bentley, 8 Oct. 1917) and died at Chanute, Ks. 16 Feb. 1975. Buried at Buffalo Cemetary. Children: Phyllis Jean, Evelyn Maxine, Billy B., and Donald Ralph.

(2) Opal Gladys, born 3 Oct. 1898 (Clarence S. Williams, 4 April 1920) and still living in 1986 in Humboldt, Ks. Children: Clarence Stanley and Geneva Jane.

(3) Evelyn Avis, born 28 August 1900 (Henry R. Jones, 3 June 1937) died Wichita, Ks. August 1960 and buried Buffalo, Ks. No children.

(4) Geneva Pearl, born 2 Dec,, 1902 (Floyd A. Harrod, 17 June, 1925) lived, died and buried at Yates Center, Ks. 29 Oct. 1955. Children: Virginia Sue, and Victor Earl.

(5) William E. Floyd, born 29 Sept. 1905 (Ruby E. Terry, 4 July 1937 and Mrs. Madge (Carroll) Nelson, 12 Nov. 1976) Both still living at Humboldt, Kans. in 1986. No children.

(6) Artia E., born 28 Sept., 1908 (Amos L. Nelson, 27 Nov. 1929) and both still living in Chanute, Ks. in 1986. Children: Gordon L., Patricia A., and Carl Edward.

(7) Carl Marian, born 31 May 1911, killed by lightening at Humboldt, Ks. on 20 Sept. 1934 . Un-married . Buried Buffalo Cemetery.

(8) Victor Roach, born 16 November, 1914, died at age 8 and buried at the Buffalo Cemetery.

(9) Marjorie Ann, born 3 Feb. 1918 (Clark A. Frankenberry, 26 Aug. 1944) Both still living on their farm southwest of Altoona in Wilson County in 1986. Children: William Marlen and Rebecca Anne.