Swartz, John Frederick and Martha Pedley

Workers Around Pool
Left to Right:  Martha Swartz (wife of John F.), Roy Swartz, Loretta Swartz, John F. Swartz, an unknown lady, and Mr. Dick Marken and his wife.  Robert Swartz (contributor of this photo) recalls that the orchard in the neighborhood used to be called the "Thompson-Marken" Orchard before Charles took over sole ownership.  Perhaps there may be some Marken descendants or friends out there who would enjoy seeing a photo of them."
(Source:  Original Photo Courtesy of Robert Swartz, February 2012.  All Rights Reserved.)

John F. Swartz and Martha E. Pedley Swartz
Oakwood Cemetery
(Source:  Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson, Copyright October 2011)

John Swartz, Nurseryman, Dies
John F. Swartz, 94, the oldest active nurseryman in the state, died at the Swartz homestead on Wood Rd., Somers Township, this morning following a long illness. He was born in his home on Oct. 29, 1867, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Swartz. He had lived in the homestead all his life. In 1888, at the age of 21, he established the Swartz Nurseries, and had taken an active part in the business since that time. He was instrumental in forming the first Horticultural Society in Kenosha, and was a charter member of that organization. He was a member of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society and received a distinguished service award from that group in 1953. He was a member of the Wisconsin Nurseryman's Association and the American Nurseryman's Association. On May 11, 1892, he married Miss Martha Eva Pedley, who preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 1944. He was a member of First Methodist Church. Survivors are three sons, Harold F. and Glenn, both of Kenosha, and Roy B., Wilmot; two daughters, Mrs. Luella Morgan and Miss Loretta Swartz, both of Kenosha; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and one brother, Arthur Swartz, Kenosha. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.
(Source: Kenosha Evening News, February 16, 1962)

Personal Memory of Robert Swartz
He was 80 years old when I was born, so he was an old man all my life. I always admired him because he seemed like he had a good attitude towards life. He walked around the nursery with his terrier, Bonnie, and epitomized the retired country gentleman. He liked to watch Friday night boxing on TV and it seemed out of character for such a kindly gentleman to sit punching the air as he watched. My father told another story that is testimony to his calm nature. While he was away from home one day in 1917, his house burned to the ground. According to my father, he arrived home, walked up to the smoking pit, spit in it and calmly walked away.

Mrs. John Swartz of Somers Dies 1944
Mrs. Swartz was a leader among the boys and girls of the community, beloved and admired by them. She was an active leader in the 4-H Club of Somers and the Community Club of the Wood Road School. She was also a member of the Garden Club and the State Horticultural Society of Wisconsin.
Burial at Oakwood Cemetery, Somers.

More About John F. Swartz
Among the native sons of Kenosha County who have continued to reside here, feeling that the county affords excellent opportunities, is John F. Swartz, who is farming in Somers Township and was born in the Town of Somers on the 29th of October, 1867.
His father, John Jacob Swartz, was born in Germany in 1841 but when only seven years of age was brought to the United States.  He attended school in District No. 9, Somers Township until he was fifteen years of age.  He then concentrated his energies upon assisting his father, August Swartz, who passed away in 1859 in Somers, where he is buried.  When twenty-one years old John Jacob Swartz began his independent career, and his ability and industry enabled him to gain a gratifying measure of success.  He was independent in politics.  He died on the 20th of September, 1914, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is buried in Kenosha.  He was married in 1866 to Miss Emma Becker, a daughter of Maria Becker, and they became the parents of six children:  John, Charles, Ed, Emma, Arthur and Carrie.  The wife and mother died in May, 1915.
John F. Swartz received a good education, attending the common schools until he was eighteen years of age, and after putting aside his textbooks, he assisted his father until he was twenty-four years old, when he was married.
He then purchased twenty-one acres of land on Section 12, Somers Township, and he has since devoted his time to the improvement and cultivation of that place.  The buildings are modern and substantial, and he takes justifiable pride in keeping everything in good repair.  He engages in fruit raising and in the nursery business and had made a careful study of everything pertaining to horticulture and the growing of nursery stock.
Mr. Swartz married Miss Martha Pedley, a daughter of John Pedley (also Somers pioneers), and they have become parents of five children:  Harold, Luella, Roy and Loretta, twins; and Glenn.
He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
(Source:  The City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, The S.J. Clark Publishing Co., 1916).

Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township
(Source:  Photo courtesy of Linda and Larry Kopet, USGenWebArchivesProjectWis.)

Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township
(Source: Photo courtesy of Linda and Larry Kopet, USGenWebArchivesProjectWis.)

More about Swartz and the Hen House
"A peculiar incident occurred last Wednesday night.  The hen house of Mr. John Swartz was entered either by a maniac or enemy.  It is not known which.  The work looks that of a maniac.  At about 3 o'clock Thursday morning, Mr. John Swartz heard a noise in the hen house and thinking that it might be some strange dog that had frightened the chickens, turned his dog loose and thought no more of the matter until he entered the hen house and there he found 21 of the hens stabbed and cut to pieces.  He is at a loss to know what anyone could have against him, and any way, if that was the cause, it was the most cowardly way to take revenge."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times, publication date April 15, 1914)

More About Swartz and Sports
"About 75 attended the annual picnic given by the Kenosha County Horticulture Societyheld at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Swartz Saturday.  Sports furnished entertainment with a baseball game between the All-Stars Somers and the Kilkelly Drugs, score 7 to 1 for the Kilkellys."
(Source:  Racine Journal Times, publication date Septembedr 23, 1932).

More About the Swartz Family

Click here to view Swartz information on the Somers Pioneer History website.