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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published by Chapman Publishing Co., in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. BEN L. SWARTWOOD, a leading and representative citizen of Schuyler County, who has for many years been engaged in the mercantile trade at Cayuta, is a native of the village, born October 29, 1854, in the old Swartwood Hotel, and is a son of Charles R. Swartwood, a native of Schuyler County. His boyhood was spent under the parental roof and in attending the district school until fifteen years of age, when he entered Elmira Academy, and from there went to the State Normal School at Mansfield, Pa., where he took a three years course. On returning home he entered the store of his grandfather, Leroy Wood, at Cayuta, who established the business in 1830. Here he remained until 1875, when he went to Rutherford, N. J., and there engaged with his uncle as buyer for the general store and as bookkeeper. After remaining there two years, he returned home, with the intention of going to California to take charge of the books of a large packing establishment in that state, but was dissuaded by his parents, who induced him to remain and enter the employ of his uncle, John Wood, who succeeded his grandfather, Leroy Wood. For two years he remained in the employ of his uncle, and then took charge of the old Swartwood Hotel, where he was born. June 1, 1880, he purchased the stock of goods in the old store which was founded by his grandfather, and where he spent his first years of mercantile life.

Mr. Swartwood was married May 28, 1878, to Miss Sadie M. Burden, who was born in Penn Yan, Yates County, N. Y., and who is a daughter of George W. and Ann (Shumaker) Burden. By this union one daughter was born, Annie B., who is now being educated at the academy of Elmira.

Notwithstanding his business interests, Mr. Swartwood has ever felt it his duty to be actively engaged in political affairs. He is a thorough and consistent Democrat, and has advocated the principles of that party from his youth. His ability as a leader has been recognized by his party associates, not only of the town of Cayuta, but of the county as well, and for the past five years he has been Chairman of the Democratic County Committee. Although Schuyler County has always had a large Republican majority, he has held nearly all of the local offices, and has been honored by appointment from both the state and general Government. In 1878 he was elected Supervisor of his town, serving three years, and in 1886 was re-elected, serving continuously for five years. In 1876 he was appointed Postmaster of Cayuta, which position he has held for a period of twenty years, regardless of change of administration. In that year he also received the appointment of Notary Public, which office he has since continued to hold, and in 1890 was appointed by the Governor one of the managers of the State Reformatory at Elmira.

In addition to his mercantile interests at Cayuta, Mr. Swartwood has landed interests in Tompkins, Seneca and Schuyler Counties, owning in all between five and six hundred acres of land, besides his fine residence and other property in the village. He is a member of Chemung Council No. 208, of Elmira. Mr. Swartwood has been eminently successful in business and carries a complete and well selected assortment of general merchandise, representing a stock of over $10,000. His business has been an extensive one, and that he has the confidence of the community is attested by the fact of his large and constantly increasing trade.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published in 1895. 

View additional Schuyler County, New York family biographies here: Schuyler County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Schuyler County, New York here: Schuyler County, New York Map

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