Message from Amy in Rhode Island
Recently I ran into the Sweger name. We found some obituaries and information on the web but I wasn't sure if they were originally in Manning.
Sweger is another surname I recently ran across and 3 Sweger children graduated from Manning Schools.
Now most people probably couldn't care less but having delved so deeply into Manning's history for decades, I'm intrigued with every name I can connect to our past...in a way that probably no one else can do for a community.
This Sweger feature has a unique situation in that Amy from Rhode Island found my web page and offered to return home a number of Sweger pictures she had come across.
She didn't want anything in exchange for sending them...she is just happy they have a home.
Every now and then people with NO Manning connection will contact me and have old pix and information they send my way.
Just wish more Manning connected people would work with me so I can preserve what they have.
Harvey A. Sweger, 501 West Church Street, died this Friday morning April 12, 1946, at 8:40 at the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital where he had been a patient for the past week.
Mr. Sweger was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1870, the son of Elkanah and Ellen (Ricedorf) Sweger. He spent his early childhood in that community, moving to Illinois when he was 19 years old. On August 22, 1894, he married Mae Edith Stanley, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1944. They moved to Marshalltown in 1935.
For many years he was employed by the DeLaval Separator Company, also with the Hutchinson and Furnas Ice Cream Company, Des Moines, and with the Marshall Ice Cream company in this city.
Surviving are his widow; two daughters Mrs. C.E. Marshall of this city, and Mrs. Harold Bankson of Arlington, Virginia; one son, Private Charles S. Sweger of Fort Knox, Kentucky, who prior to entering the service lived in Des Moines; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two children, one brother and one sister.
He has been an elder of the Presbyterian Church for the past 10 years.
Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. Monday in charge of Rev. C. Wayne Overholser. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Iowa. The body will remain at the Estel Funeral home where friends may call until Monday noon.
Additional notes: Harvey operated the Manning, Iowa, Creamery circa 1900-1920.
Northern Virginia SUN Monday, July 15, 1968
Obituaries
Mrs. Harold Bankson Was Arlington Realtor
Funeral services were to be held this afternoon July 15, 1968, for Mrs. Harold D. Bankson, a former Arlington, Virginia, real estate firm owner. Mrs. Banskon, the former Eula Dorothy Sweger, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, and died of a heart attack Thursday, July 11, 1968, in Toledo, Ohio.
She was 66 and lived at 4412 S. 1st St., Arlington.
From 1952 to 1962 she owned the Eula S. Bankson Realty Co. located on N. Glebe Rd. in Arlington.
A resident of Arlington since 1945, she was a member of the Real Estate Board of Northern Virginia, a volunteer worker with the Arlington Literacy Council, and an active member of the Clarendon Methodist Church and its Women's Society.
She was a 1924 graduate of Drake University in Des Moines,
Iowa, and a teacher in Iowa after graduation.
After her marriage in 1928, she was a teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Besides her husband, Harold Demmel Bankson, born in Waterloo, Iowa, she is survived by a son, Lt. John H., stationed at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Heistand, of Charlotte, North Carolina.
A sister, Mrs. C.E. Marshall, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and two grandchildren also survive.
Services were to be held at 2 p.m. at the Arlington Funeral Home, followed by interment in Columbia Gardens Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.
Additional historical information:
Eula was born June 18, 1902, in Ogle County, Illinois
Her parents were Mae Edith Stanley and Harvey Austin Sweger and they first lived in Aspinwall before moving to Manning.
Eula grew up in Manning, where her father operated the Manning Creamery.
Eula was a 1919 Graduate of Manning High School.
"Mrs. C. E. Marshall of Marshalltown, Iowa" is Opal Sweger - 1916 graduate of Manning High School, and sister to Eula.
History of Manning 1898
THE MANNING CREAMERY was transferred by Hoelker Bros. to A. T. Bennett during the summer of 1898. Mr. Bennett retained W. F. Miller as manager till February,
1899, when the latter purchased the plant of Mr. Bennett and became sole proprietor. Mr. Miller is a professional dairyman and butter maker, having been in the business for years,
either managing creameries for some one else or running them on his own responsibility.
In the middle of March, 1900, he disposed of his creamery to Wiese Bros. & Harvey Sweger
as will be noted from a clipping taken from the Manning Monitor bearing date of March 23, 1900:
Wiese Bros., have formed a partnership with Harvey Austin Sweger
for the purpose of doing a creamery business. The firm has already purchased four creameries,
Manning, Irwin, Aspinwall, and Botna and expect to build a new one at Manilla. Wiese Bros. will continue in the merchandise business,
which will be managed by Charles, the junior member.
Messrs, Adam Wiese and Harvey Sweger will give most if not all of their attention to the management of the creameries.
Mr. Miller moved his family to Harlan, Ia., where he has accepted the management of the creamery at that place.
1916 Former students: Dorsey Baldwin, Esther Barnes, Ethel Beal, Kenneth Brent, Albert Dethlefs, Eddie Farrell, Mary Fiscus, Victor Foster, Elsie Hockett, Dora Jansen, Dewey Jensen, Pearl Jentsch, Edna Johansen, Murel Jones, Emma Kelting, Mildred Kenna, John Kinney, Frieda Kraus, Paula Kraus, Johnny Marten, Thekla Miller, Albert Paysen, Emma Paysen, Marie Peters, Harold Resner, Alfred Rix, Harry Rix, Johanna Rothfolk, Laura Schade, George Shaw, June Sherman, Mabel Sieler, Emil Sievertsen, Gustav Soell, Helen Thomas, Mary Voss, Raymond Wehrmann, Eddie Wulf, Anita Wunder, Johnny Yant
1919 MHS graduates: Clifford Best, John R. Hansen, Francis Hickey, Viola Horn, Graydon Illsley, Lillian Johnson, Elma Mayer, Raymond Motter, Trella Ramsey, Helen Rohr, Victor Schultz, Eula Sweger
1919 Former students: Edith Bailey, Clarence David, Lillian Dethlefs, Marina Eike, Hazel Foster, Harry Frahm, Fred Fritz, Julius Grau, Myron Gray, Elsie Hansen, Fred Hessling, Elva Lohrmann, Alfred Meyers, Lila Monk, Julius Ohrt, Louis Ossenkop, Florence Sammin, Minnie Schmidt, Genevieve West
Here are scans of the photos sent me from Rhode Island.
Opal Sweger - Lyden Studio, Manning
Eula Sweger
Opal Sweger - unknown house/location
Opal Sweger with her husband Cedric E. Marshall
Opal Sweger with her husband Cedric E. Marshall
Opal Sweger - unknown house/location
Opal Sweger - probably in Des Moines
Opal Sweger - probably in Des Moines
Opal Sweger - Lyden Studio, Manning
Cedric Marshall, husband of Opal Sweger
Cedric Marshall
The class intellectually is above the average and equal to the best classes ever graduated from the Manning Public Schools. Following is a short account of the life of each of the graduates.
Ralph Parkhouse, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.D. Parkhouse, of Manning, is the youngest member of the class. He was born in Manning, April 3, 1899, and gained his entire education in the Manning Public Schools. During his leisure hours he was busy in his father's garage, where he studied electricity and mechanics by application. In school he was quiet, studious, and a little bashful and devoted his entire time to his school work. English and physics were the studies he liked best and in those he excelled. As to his future he is undecided, but expects to take later, if possible, a commercial course in college and perhaps follow in the footsteps of his father in conducting a garage and selling automobiles.
Opal Sweger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey A. Sweger, was born in Manning, February 18, 1898, and attended no other than the Manning schools. Mathematics and English were the studies she liked best and in these she excelled. In her school work she was one of those who always received a high grade, and was one of the best students in the class. She will teach school the coming year and perhaps later enter some college to complete her education.
Regine H. Roehse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Roehse, both deceased, was born in Manning January 26, 1899. When five years of age she entered the Manning Public Schools where she has been a regular attendant since. Her delight was to study history, English and domestic science. As to her future she has not decided, but will perhaps take up the work of a teacher, and may later attend college. Her school work was more or less broken by the death of her parents, but due to her will and desire of an education, she faithfully kept up her work, and is now well fitted to go out in the world and command good wages as a teacher.
Julia, Mayer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Mayer, living at the edge of Manning, was born at Omaha, Nebraska, July 22, 1898. Her parents then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she continued her school work. Later they moved to near Manning where she entered the fifth grade and has advanced year by year until now when she finishes the course of study. Her favorite studies were history, home economics, Latin and civics. Later she expects to enter a college in Chicago and complete her education in Dramatic Art and Voice.
Raymond Harvey, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Harvey, of Dedham, is a graduate of the Dedham High School. Last September he entered the Manning School to complete a four year's course so that he could enter a college next fall without having to take a preparatory course. His first school days were in a country school near Dedham.
English, Latin and mathematics were his favorite studies. During the past year he has worked hard and gained the good will of his classmates and teachers. When school opens next September he intends to be enrolled in some college, and may take a degree leading to professional work.
Walter Aldrich, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Aldrich, of Dedham, was born in Dedham, December 25, 1896. He began his school work in Dedham where he graduated last year. Wishing to later go to college he entered the Manning Public Schools last September and completed his high school work this year. His favorite studies were the sciences. He expects to enter some college later and will perhaps take a degree leading to a professional life.
Ray Harvey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arch Harvey of Dedham, was born March 7, 1895. When five years old he entered a country school near Dedham where he continued to study until he had mastered all the studies taught in the school. He then entered the Dedham School where he graduated last year. Last September he entered the Manning Schools where he applied himself closely to school duties. His favorite studies were mathematics and history. He will enter some college and get a college education.
Florence Horn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Horn, was born at Tripoli, Iowa, November 10, 1898. Her school work was begun at Devon, Iowa, where she completed the work through the fourth grade. In 1906 she entered the Manning schools and faithfully continued the work to the end. She took the normal training work, and expects to begin teaching this fall. Her favorite study was English.
Hulda Krumm, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Krumm, was born at Denver, Iowa, December 31, 1898. Here she entered the public schools and continued her school work to the end of the tenth grade. Then her father, Rev. Krumm, moved, to Waverly, Iowa, where she again took up her school work and completed one more grade.
Last year when her parents came to Manning she entered the school here and this year she finished the work as given by the school. Her favorite studies were languages. She took the Normal Course and expects to begin teaching school next September.
Robert Dethlefs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dethlefs lived in no other town than Manning and attended no other school than the Manning School. He was born January 24, 1899, and is one of the youngest members of the class as well as one of the brightest. Being of studious turn of mind he enjoyed figuring out the mysteries of mathematics and learning the wise sayings of wise men. Next year he hopes to enroll in Iowa's great University and take a course. Someday he aspires to be a college teacher.
The class play was given last Friday evening and a large and appreciative audience greeted the graduates. Each one of the seniors acted their parts well and many favorable comments were heard concerning the way they played their parts. The play was a difficult one, yet the class was so talented that it overcame all the difficulties of the play.
Graduation exercises were held Thursday evening. Professor Beveridge of Council Bluffs gave a masterful address on the subject, "The Old Order Changeth." While the audience was not as large as it should have been, all those present were well paid for the time and money spent that evening.
Professor A.L. Boyer at the close of the address presented to the audience the graduates of Eighth Grade and announced the scholarships. Opal Sweger received the highest rank of the graduates, while Robert Dethlefs was a close second. Hulda Krumm was a close third, being but a fraction below the winners.
Another class has graduated to go out in the world to commence its life's work. Some will succeed, others will fail. Each member has the necessary education to make a success of life if he or she uses it to advantage. The Monitor joins with the friends in extending congratulations and hopes that the class will make a reputation second to none to the classes that have gone before.
Birth February 22, 1879 Perry County, Pennsylvania
Death October 22, 1925 Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Burial Eshcol Cemetery, Eshcol, Pennsylvania
Son of Elkanah and Margaret Ellen (Ricedorf) Sweger
Siblings: Alfred, Minnie, and Harvey
Wife Minnie F. Leonard
Florin Men Fight Duel to Death in Modest Home Near Millerstown, Perry County
Charles Sweger Shot and George Henderson Jailed After
Shooting Orgy in Presence of Mrs. Sweger, Whose Hand Was Sought by Both Men
At 3:00 P.M. this afternoon, the condition of Charles Sweger was reported
as "critical." Polyclinic Hospital officials said he may live for hours.
Two well-known Florin, Lancaster County men, last night fought a duel for the
love of a young matron, mother of six children.
The duelists were George Henderson, 45, and Charles Sweger, 46, both of Florin, this county.
The duel was fought in an isolated country home in the beautiful Juniata
Valley. There Henderson had gone to pay court to Mrs. Charles Sweger, a comely
woman much younger than her husband, and to which Sweger went when he heard
that Henderson had slipped away from Florin and was headed for the home of Ross
Leonard, father of Sweger's wife, at which place she and her children were staying.
Sweger reached the home when Henderson and the others, including the children,
were in the parlor. He made no mystery of his mission walking to Henderson, he
eyed him intently for a moment, asked what he was doing there, and added
emphasis of his query by whipping out a revolver of .32 caliber.
Henderson jumped to his feet in the center of the room. With a sneer, he
inquired why it was any of Sweger's business that he was there. His hand
slipped back to his hip pocket as he spoke.
Cuddled with their mother in a corner of the room, Sweger's three children, all
under 12 years of age, cried in terror as a shot rang out into the night. The
lights were extinguished by someone, and for a moment the room was silent as death.
The flickering light of an are lamp down the room told Mrs. Sweger and the
children that both men were on their feet, as they circled the room past the
window. Each had a revolver in his hand.
Again, a flash of white across the room, and the lights were turned on.
On the floor at the feet of his wife, lay Charles Sweger, bathed in the blood
that was flowing profusely from a wound in his chest. Henderson stood over him
like a gladiator, awaiting the "thumbs down" signal of the others in
the room as he poised the revolver. No such signal came, and the third shot was
not fired. Henderson walked to the kitchen, as Mrs. Sweger bent over her
prostrate husband. She muttered something that sounded like "jealousy."
Sweger still breathed, and Dr. George S. Kinzer, of nearby, was summoned.
Henderson remained out of the room, telling those within that if anybody asked
- "you don't know how he was shot."
Sweger was removed to the Polyclinic hospital at Harrisburg, where officials
stated frankly this morning that he has little chance of surviving the injury,
since the bullet penetrated his lung, and paralyzed his lower limbs.
Henderson was placed under arrest at 4 A.M. this morning by state police who
found him still at the Leonard home. He was imprisoned in the New Bloomfield
jail to await the outcome of Sweger's injury.
According to information from police, and the principals in the tragedy,
Sweger, a railroad watchman at Rheems, who is of a
jealous disposition, was separated from his wife last July. She went to live
with her father at Donnelly's Mills, taking the children with her.
Henderson, according to Sweger, visited the home frequently, making the trip
from Florin. On the last visit, Sweger followed. He learned that Henderson was
a "guest" in the home for three days.
Last night at eight o'clock, Sweger, who had reached home earlier, demanded
that Henderson leave immediately. According to Henderson, Sweger backed up the
request by producing a revolver and threatening to use it. Finally, Sweger
fired, the bullet grazing Henderson's skull. Henderson whipped out a revolver
and shot at Sweger. He dropped to the floor, blood gushing from a gaping wound in his chest.
According to the police, Henderson then told those in the room to say nothing
of how the shooting happened. The wounded man was taken to the hospital while
Henderson remained with Mrs. Sweger until his arrest.
The Sweger home at Florin is decidedly modest. There today are living by
themselves three children Clarence, 12; Charles, 11; Warren, 5, without are and with very little food.
The other three Sweger children are with their mother at Millerstown where the shooting took place.
Sweger is a night watchman at the Rheems "cut" of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
leaving the three little fellows by themselves.
Henderson, who shot Sweger, was the star boarder in the Sweger family until
about four months ago, when Sweger ordered him away from the house, charging
that he was getting too friendly with Mrs. Sweger.
After Henderson left, Sweger and his wife kept up their quarrelling over the
alleged friendliness between Henderson and her and after a quarrel in which
Sweger is alleged to have hit his wife, she left with the three youngest
children and went to her father's home, near Millerstown where she has resided ever since.
Of the three children at the Florin home, two were in school today and the
youngest, five years, was left alone at home to shift for himself.
The eldest of the boys told an intel man that "his father left home this
morning for Lancaster." They did not know apparently that their father had
been shot and was so dangerously ill.
Intelligencer Journal, October 23, 1925
Sweger Dying of His Wound.
Charles Sweger, who was shot by George W. Henderson, in Buckwheat Valley,
Thursday night of last week, is reported to be in a dying condition in the
Harrisburg Hospital. The bullet has been located and is lodged in Sweger's
spinal column, between the second and third vertebra. It is in a vital spot and
cannot be removed and the wounded man is slowly dying, according to reports.
The shooting is said to be the out-come of a love triangle, Sweger claiming
that Henderson was paying attention to his wife.
Charles Sweger and his wife, who is a daughter of W. Ross Leonard, of near
Domain's Mills, had been living in Florin, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but
during the past summer Mrs. Sweger left her husband and came to the home of her
parents, George W. Henderson, whose home is in Florin, is reported to have made
several visits to the Leonard home since Mrs. Sweger came there. He was there
on Thursday evening when Charles Sweger came to see his wife, and Sweger
ordered him to leave. This he refused to do, as it was raining. An altercation
ensued and finally Sweger is alleged to have drawn a revolver and shot at
Henderson. Henderson claims the bullet cut a slit in his vest. He then pulled
his revolver and shot Sweger, the bullet entered Sweger's right lung and lodging in his spine.
After the shooting Henderson went to Donnally's Mills and telephoned to Dr.
George Kinzer, of Ickesburg, Pennsylvania, and then returned to the Leonard home.
When Dr. Kinzer arrived he hurried the wounded man to the Harrisburg Hospital.
The State Police were notified and went to the Leonard home, arriving there
about five o'clock in the morning, and took Henderson into custody, bringing
him here to Bloomfield, where he was committed to jail on a warrant issued by
Squire D.C. Kell. Henderson claims he shot Sweger in self-defense.
The Swegers have had thirteen children in fifteen years. Eight of them are living.
Perry County Democrat, October 28, 1925
CHARLES A. SWEGER
The funeral service of Charles A. Sweger, of Florin, will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Methodist Church at Eschol. He is survived by his
widow and seven children, and one brother, Harvey Sweger, of Des Moines, Iowa.
The body may be viewed today in the funeral parlors of Arthur C. Hauck, 1723
North Third Street. The body will be taken to Eschol Tuesday morning.
Patriot News, November 2, 1925
She leaves eight young children and is also survived by two
brothers and three sisters and two half-brothers and one half-sister. Funeral
services were held on Saturday in the Markelsville
Lutheran Church with burial in cemetery adjoining.
The News, Friday, April 9, 1926 - Newport, Perry County, Pennsylvania