Ellen Swift 1854-1911
Obit., Benton Advocate, 3/10/1911
Mrs. Ellen Swift, one of the most prominent and life-long citizens of Benton, died at the family residence on Monday, Feb. 27 at 5 a.m. It was indeed a severe shock to husband, sons, daughters and neighbors when one by one they were notified of the sudden ending of the life of this good wife and indulgent mother.
Mrs. Swift, second youngest child of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. F. Muligan, deceased, was born in Benton June 29, 1854, and was married Febuary 1873 to John P. Swift who survives her with ten children; S. T. Swift, Dubuque, Mrs. C. Sherwin, Mrs. H. Grotkin, Benton; J. J. Swift, Dubuque; Mrs. C. Birkett, Benton; Mrs. W. L. Kelly, Chicago; Mrs. N. Ginter, Dubuque, Elsie, Ellsworth and Clarence at home; one daughter Caroline, having died Oct. 13, 1902. Besides these, five sisters also survive her; Mrs. P. O. O'Brien, Mrs. D. Carr and Kate Muligan of Denver, Mrs. John Meloy of Bernard, Ia., and Mrs. Chas. McManus of Ossian, Iowa.
Since the death of her daughter, the deceased had been a patient sufferer from asthma, but ever anxious to gladden others and cause them no anxiety by mentioning personal ailments, she scarcely ever communicated to anyone the fact of her illness. She had a naturally vigorous constitution and no doubt thought she was able to overcome her illness.
Mrs. Swift was a faithful friend and affectionate mother. Her death removes one whose optomistic view of life cheered many a downcast life. Heaven, is no doubt, brighter for her going but earth is darker.
There is no word in the English language as sweet as "Mother." She sits unconsciously as queen of the household and rules with tenderness and love all the difficult and intricate problems of the daily duties of home life. Death has now entered and severed the tender ties; the children are now left with but the memory of standing over the open casket looking at the folded hands that will never more minister to wants of her children. The eyes that reflected the image of every member of the family are forever closed. Tears of heart felt grief freely flow when we come to a full realization that our companionship with our sainted mother is forever at an end. There is one thought, however, that sheds a halo of light to the members of the family and that was her implicit trust in God and her fidelity to the Catholic Church of which she was an exemplary member. The remaining members of the family may rest assured that if their lives are as pure as that of their mother, when as one by one they are called to lay down life's burdens, they will surely meet their loved one in the Great Beyond there to be reunited family throughout the countless ages of eternity.
Funeral obsequies were held from the family residence at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic church on Wednesday, conducted by Rev. Father Bergen after which the remains were deposited in the adjoining cemetery. The funeral was attended by a larger number of relatives and friends than any funeral in this locality, coming to pay their last tribute of respect and love. The many floral offerings were a mute symbol of the high esteem in which the deceased was held.
The honary pall bearers were: F. McElroy, M. Daugherty, Thos. Farrey, A. C. Piquett, P. B. McMahon, P.H. Whaley. The active pall bearers were F. Swift, S. J. Kearns, Dr. J. F. Kenney, Jas. McCarty, B. McGuire, L. Swift.
Those who attended the funeral from abroad are: Mrs. Chas. McManus and daughter Ruth, sons Wm and J. H. and Miss Alice Finnegan, Ossian, Ia., Mrs. John Meloy and son, Louis of Bernard, Ia., Kate Swift, Mr. and Mrs Fink, Calamine, Wis.; Francis Rooney, Asbury, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Piquett, Platteville; Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Birkett, Hazel Green; Mrs. D. A. Callahan, Mayme Kelly, John Sproule, Galena; J. H. Weinier, R. P. Marshall, D. E. Maguire, M. B. Rooney, D. J. Kenneally, M. J. Grace, Jos. A. Connolley, T. L. Howe, and Misses Kathryn and Esther Flynn, and Mary Rooney, Mrs. S. T. Swift, N. Ginter, Dubuque and W. L. Kelly, Chicago.
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~Submitter: Mike Birkett