Daniel Swomley

From History of Frederick County. p. 1152:

Daniel Swomley is a venerable citizen of New Market District, widely known, and as widely respected and beloved for his kindly benevolent disposition. He was born at the family homestead, October 3, 1830, son of Mahlon and Sarah (Miles) Swomley.

His great-grandfather came at an early date from Germany, and settled on the hill called “High Jarmony,” between Linganore and Ben’s Branch, in New Market District. Later in life, he removed to a home nearer the town of New Market, where he died in 1810. From the tools that he left, it is supposed that he was a saddler.

His son, the grandfather of Mr. Daniel Swomley, married a Miss Roberts. and passed the rest of his life upon the farm now owned by Elisha Swomley; it lies a mile and a-half north of New Market. He had children as follows: 1, Asa, a farmer, who lived and died, retired, in New Market; he married first Polly, and after her death, Elizabeth Carnahan; 2, Mahlon; 3, Sally, who married George Warfield, and went to Missouri.

His second son, Mahlon Swomley, was born in 1800 on his father’s estate near New Market. He received a country school education, and devoted his attention to the business of farming. He was widely and favorably known. Mahlon Swomley who succeeded his father in the possession of the homestead, died on the farm now owned by his son, Elisha, in 1847. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and in politics, a Whig. He married Sarah, daughter of Mr. Miles, of Montgomery County, Md. She died at the age of ninety-one years, and, with her husband, was buried at the Friends’ meeting-house. Their children were: 1, Miriam A., who married George W. Webb; they lived first on a farm in the vicinity of New London, and later, in Frederick City, where they died; 2, Elisha, living on the homestead, married Margaret Nelson; 3, Daniel; 4, Lydia Ann (Mrs. Edward Hughes), removed to Iowa, and there died; 5, Henry, died in boyhood; 6, Eldred, died young.

Daniel Swomley was educated in the schools of his neighborhood, after which he gave his attention to farming, which became the occupation of his life. In 1851, he married Eliza Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Snyder) Trayer, of New Market, and the same year Mr. Swomley bought and removed to a farm two and a-half miles west of New Market, on the Frederick City turnpike; it contained 140 acres, and was known as “Polly’s Inheritance.” Being one of the most progressive farmers of the district, he greatly improved this tract, erecting new buildings, and bringing the soil to a fine state of cultivation. In 1901, Mr. Swomley sold his farm, and retired to his present home in New Market.

Here, on July 11, 1908, he met with a sad bereavement in the death of his beloved wife. Their children are: 1, Annie (Mrs. Wm. H. Huffer), who died at Arlington, near Baltimore; 2, Mahlon J., farmer of New Market District; he married Caroline Burrell; 3, Emma, (Mrs. Jas. M. Kelley), of New Market; 4, Kate D., first married to Howard Fox, afterwards to Isaac Haugh, resides at Churchtown, Pa.; 5, Anthony C. of New Oxford, Pa., married Miss Neeley; 6, Mattie Virginia (Mrs. Frank Angelier), of Baltimore, Md.; 7, Nettie Rebecca, died at the age of five years; 8, Fanny, died in infancy.

Mr. Swomley was in early life a Whig, and later a Republican; he is now a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.