Mystery Monday- SHOW off that Family Treasure & TELL the Story- Linda Sword-Johnson

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward



...........and here is another of many 'members shared items' from our February Show N Tell. Enjoy!!

Presenting Linda Sword-Johnson with this great family portrait.

Martin Van Buren SWORD was born about 1838 in Welsh Run, Pennsylvania. The family lived in several places in the area around Gettysburg, PA until sometime in the 1840's, when they moved westward to Carroll County Illinois, settling in the Cherry Grove/Lanark area.

The surname "SWORD" was changed from something, probably German, in the early 1800's (as far as I know no one has been able to discover the original name).

Martin's father Henry and Martin were carpenters. I have an antique plane that was at least Martin's and possibly Henry's.

Martin first married Hannah PUTERBAUGH. But Hannah died at 24 leaving Martin with their young son Harry.

Martin married again in 1872 to Rosina Edwina DILLEY and they had 3 children:
Rosebud born 1873,
Robert (my grandfather) born 1874 in Minneapolis, and
Erl born 1876 in Illinois

The family had moved to Pueblo by the time the 1885 Colorado census was taken.

Martin served with the 146th Illinois Infantry, Company A, during the Civil War. He enlisted 29 July 1964 and was called to active duty 29 August 1864. He was mustered out 8 July 1865. The troops were called "The Hundred Days Men". These men were called up by the thousands and lightly trained. They were to replace better trained troops as part of a major push to end the war in 100 days. The 146th did not see any fighting.

Martin was 63 when he fell from a tree he was trimming dying several days later on April 25, 1902. He was buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado. His tombstone has the GAR designation. 


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