Biography of Captain Z S SWANN, Champaign County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Celia Snyder From: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878 Capt. Z. S. SWAN - He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, October 15, 1838. He is the fourth of seven children of John and Rebecca SWAN, who were old settlers in the state of Ohio. The Captain received his elementary education in common schools, and attended the Bellefontaine, Ohio, union school. He came west in 1858, and settled at Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in teaching school, until the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1862, he raised a company, and enlisted as a private soldier in the 25th Wisconsin infantry, and was elected captain of company H., which position he held until the close of the war. He served in General Sherman's army. The principal battles in which he participated were the siege of Vicksburg, Ressaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and several other minor engagements. Was mustered out in June, 1865, and returned to Wisconsin. In July of the same year came to Champaign, and began reading law in the office of Coler and Smith, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1866. He settled in Monticello, Piatt county, Illinois, where he engaged in practice for two years, after which he removed to Vandalia, and became a partner of the Hon. J. P. Van Dorston, which whom he remained for two years. Was for one year, superintendent of Public Institutions in Fayette county. In 1872, the Captain was elected as the Republican candidate to the Legislature, and served in the winter of 1872-3, and in June, '73, resigned his seat in the Legislature, moved to the city of Champaign, and began the practice of law. He was married August 2, 1872, to Miss Jennie HIPES, of Kansas City, Mo. Through this union they have two children, one of whom is deceased. The captain has always been a strong supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Capt. Swan is a gentleman who has a host of friends. He is an able and eloquent speaker, and a lawyer of ability. ----------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Celia Snyder