Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of the Great Lakes Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899 Page 26 CAPTAIN CHARLES M. SWARTWOOD (de- ceased), formerly captain of the J. H. Wade, was the son of Earl and Sarah Cornell Swartwood, and was born April 29, 1850, at Lorain, Ohio. The father was also a native of Lorain, and was a vessel builder for about fifteen years of his life. He died in 1883, having survived his wife, who passed away in 1871. Capt. Charles Swartwood spent his youth in Lorain attending the public schools. At this time, a desire for marine life being stronger than for any other calling, he de- cided to be a sailor, and to put this desire into practice he went on the scow Fairy, of Lorain, at the age of fourteen years, then put in a season on the J. U. Porter. From this he came on the Lilly Fox as mate, and the following season on the Enright as mas- ter. He spent the following two seasons on the Oak Leaf as second mate, on which he remained four seasons. From this boat he came to the Helvetia, as mate for one sea- son, and afterward commanded the L. C. Butts for four seasons. The following seasons were spent on the W. D. Rust, H. B. Tuttle, Champion, Gladiator, Crusader, T. S. Christy and William Chisholm; com- ing to the J. H. Wade in 1891, upon which he remained until his death. On November 8, 1871, he was married to Miss Agnes Dennison, of Lorain, a daugh- ter of John Dennison, a native of Canada, and an old vessel master, and sister of John and Bert Dennison, who spent several years of their lives on the Great Lakes in different positions. Captain Swartwood was a member of the Knights of Honor, Knights of the Mac- cabees, Knights of Pythias, and Protected Home Circle. On February 17, 1898, he passed away at his home in Cleveland. The funeral was largely attended, a large delegation from the Ship Masters Associa- tion, as well as representatives from the various orders, came to pay their last trib- ute of respect to their comrade. Honored and respected by all, his last voyage closed "a life well spent." =========================================================================