THE VALLEY OF HEART's DELIGHT
santaclararesearch.net
JACOB SWOPE
SURNAMES: POPE, WAGGENER, LONG, DOLLINS, COEN, MANN, McCOMAS, HOLLINGSWORTH, ARNOLD, CAMPBELL, ALEXANDER
deceased,
was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, January 1, 1802, and was the son
of Jacob and Margaret (Pope) Swope, who were among Kentucky's earliest
pioneers, going to that State from Maryland at as early a date as
1780. The subject of our sketch was liberally educated, as his
father, being a man of considerable wealth, gave his sons every
possible advantage. Soon after reaching his sons every possible
advantage.
Soon after reaching his majority, he married, in 1823, Miss Harriet F.
Waggener, daughter of Major Thomas Waggener, resident of Christian
County, Kentucky. ALthough reared to a farm life, about the time
of his marriage he entered upon a mercantile business, establishing
himself in a general merchandise store in Stanford, Lincoln County,
Kentucky. Although reared to a farm life, about the time of his
marriage he entered upon a mercantile business, establishing himself in
a general merchandise store in Stanford, Lincoln county,
Kentucky. This business he conducted for several years before
removing to Boone County (now Gallatin County), of the same State,
where he returned to the work of his youth, farming. there he
remained until 1833, when he again changed his residence, this time
locating in Hancock County, Illinois, and continuing his agricultural
work Four years later he again made a change, going to the State
of Missouri and engaging in farming and stockraising in Platte County.
There he conducted a profitable business, an made his home for thirteen
years. The gold excitement of 1849 and 1850 filled him with a
desire to visit California, and in the latter year he crossed the
plains . Arriving in the autumn, he went to the mines and
there spent one year. In the year following his coming to this
State he came to Santa Clara County and established himself as one
of the pioneer farmers of 1851. The lands which he acquired
contained 163 acres, and were situated on the Saratoga and Alviso road,
about two miles north of Lawrence. There he lived an honored,
useful life until his death, which occurred February 17, 1877.
These lands are now (in 1888) owned by William D. Rucker, Elbert
Apperson, and Mr. Smith.
Mr. and Mrs. Swope were the parents of eight children. Thomas W. , born
in 1825, married Miss Margaret Long, a native of Missouri. He
died in 1862, and his widow now resides in Colorado. Mary G.,
born in 1827, married William F. Dollins, of Kentucky who died in
1854. Her second marriage was with Woodford Coen (now deceased),
and she makes her home in Clinton County, Missouri. The sketch of
Jacob, the second son, appears in this connection. John F,
born in 1832, arrived Miss Laura Mann. He died in 1887, and his family
lives in Clinton County, Missouri. Ann E., born in 1836, married
Rush McComas, and resides in San Jose; Margaret, born in 1838, became
the wife of Virgil Hollingsworth (now deceased). Her second
husband is James M. Arnold, of Santa Clara. William H., born in
1841, married Miss Laura Campbell, and
resides in Campbell, Santa Clara County. Harriet F., born
in 1843, is the wife of Lysander P. Alexander, of Santa Clara
County.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or
Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.-
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. page 470
transcribed by cdf