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R.M. Swisher Dies in South Yesterday

Death came yesterday afternoon to Robert M. Swisher beloved G.A.R. veteran and father of city clerk Merrill M. Swisher. Mr. Swisher answered the final roll call at the Veterans Home in Sawtelle, a suburb of Los Angeles, according to word received from Merrill Swisher early this morning. The city clerk and Mrs. Swisher went to Sawtelle Sunday when it became apparent that his father's condition was critical and were present at the last.

Mr. Swisher was taken serious ill with heart trouble here last week and was removed to the veterans hospital in the south where everything possible was done for him. In accordance with his last wish he will be buried in the Sawtelle veterans cemetery.

The funeral services will be held jointly by the G.A.R. and Elks fraternity from the chapel of the Soldier's Home tomorrow, Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock. The rites will be of military nature and a salute will be fired over the grave.

Deceased was born May 1, 1848 in Punxatawney, Pennsylvania and at a very early age enlisted in the 74th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in which he served throughout the remainder of the Civil war.

Edited Newspaper

Almost all his life was spent in the East, he at one time being editor of a newspaper in Pennsylvania. About eight years ago he came to Watsonville to make his home with his son. His declining years were spent peacefully in this city where he enjoyed the company of many friends and his fellow Civil war veterans, being commander of the home G.A.R. post at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Kane Lodge of Elks in Pennsylvania, and a member of the Free and Accepted Masons.

In addition to his wife the deceased is survived by three children; M.M. Swisher of Watsonville, Mrs. George Hastings of Morocco, Ind., and Harry Swisher of West Virginia.

Date of Birth: 1848-05-01

Date of Death: 1931-06-01?

County: Los Angeles

Cemetery/City of Burial: Los Angeles National

Plot: 78/I/05

Cause of Death: Hrt/Related

Occupation: Nwsppr/

Local Address: Center 443

Last City: (CA Sawtelle)

Native of: PA

Enlisted: 1864/07/16

Discharged: 1865/06/19

Military Unit: PA_ 74 Inf_ Co B

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-N/L_ Dschrgd-

GAR#: M26

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: RLM 1927 Roster