Bio: Swazee, Bert (1923)

 
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Swazee, Wallis, Eastwood, Anderton, Evans, Seidler

----Source: History of Wood County, Wis. (1923) page 546

Bert Swazee, conducting a moder general merchandise store at Sherry, was born at Chicago, Ill., Feb. 24, 1892, son of Theodore and Theresa (Wallis) Swazee. The parents were both native-born Americans; the mother, who is still living, was born Sept. 23, 1861; the father, who was born in Louisiana, was a real estate dealer in Chicago previous to his death there, Aug. 4, 1910. Bert, the only child of these parents, grew up in Chicago and graduated from high school there at the age of 15. He then studied bookkeeping and stenography at a business college, and after completing the course entered the employ of W. D. Eastwood, a Chicago real estate dealer, remaining with him for two years, after which he was in the employ of the Western News Co. of Chicago until his father's death in 1910. He then came to Wood County. He had been in poor health for some time, and at the time of his coming here he was advised by doctors that a change was absolutely necessary. The first two years of his residence here were chiefly spent in recuperating his health, which so improved that at the expiration of that time he felt himself in condition for active work again and he accordingly went to work on a farm belonging to his uncle, Charles E. Anderton; he continued thus engaged until 1914, when he went into the flour and feed business at Sherry in partnership with Thomas Evans. In 1916 he turned his interest in this business over to his partner, who subsequently sold it out. Going to Marshfield, Mr. Swazee then entered the employ of the Roddis Lumber and Veneer Co., working up to the position of purchasing agent, in which capacity he continued until the fall of 1920, when he returned to Sherry. In the spring of the following year he bought a store building in this place and established a general mercantile business which he is still conducting. June 23, 1915, Mr. Swazee married Mary Seidler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Seidler of Stevens Point, Wis. Mrs. Swazee was born in the latter city Nov. 22, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Swazee are the parents of one child, Carl, born May 16, 1916. Mr. Swazee is a member of the Elks lodge No. 665 at Marshfield, he is a wide-awake young business man, highly thought of in the community, has served as clerk of Sherry Township, and is a notary public.