John Schwighert was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on July 1, 1826. He left the land of his birth for America in 1840, and landed at Baltimore, Md. From there he went to Cumberland, Md. remained two and a half years, then removed to Somerset County, Pa., thence to Ohio. While in the latter State he enlisted in the Mexican war under General Taylor, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista, and several other engagements, serving until the war closed. In 1850 he went to California, and remained until June 5, 1852, when he embarked for Australia, where he resided nearly two years, and in 1854 came to Iowa, settling in Jefferson Towhship, Clayton County. He located on his present farm in Elk Township in 1861. It consists of 151 1/2 acres of finely improved land. He was married on Oct. 8, 1854, to Maria Trandt, a native of Waldick, Germany, born in 1834. She died in 1873, having been the mother of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Schwighert was married the second time to Angeline, daughter of Andrew Lewis, on July 15, 1873. She was born in Ohio, Feb. 26, 1846. Their union has been blessed with five childen, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Schwighert is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 765-766 |