Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    LEVI SWITZER

    Levi Switzer is a retired farmer whose well-directed efforts in former years now enable him to put aside the more arduous duties of business life. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1837, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Cunkle) Switzer, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, the former of York county and the latter of Cumberland county. The Switzer family is of German lineage and the paternal grandfather of our subject was a pensioner of the war of 1812. He died at the home of his son, William, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. The latter was married in his native county and in the spring of 1853 removed with his family to Clark county, Ohio, where he lived for more than a year, when he came to Miami county, locating on a farm near Pleasant Hill, in Newton township. There both he and his wife died, the latter at the age of sixty-eight and the former at the age of eighty-seven. They had a family of eight children, of whom six are living. They were named as follows: Samuel, Mary, Catherine, Levi, Eliza, Jacob, Caroline and Sarah. Those now deceased are Samuel, Eliza and Caroline. The others all reside in Miami county.

    Mr. Switzer, whose name begins this record, obtained his education in the public schools of the Keystone state and of Ohio. When twenty years of age he started out upon an independent business career, operating a rented farm. He continued to engage in the cultivation of rented land until 1885, although in the meantime he had previously bought and sold two farms. In the year mentioned he purchased one hundred and sixty-six acres of land in Concord township and still has that property, which is now being cultivated by his youngest son. It is a highly improved and valuable farm. Mr. Switzer was an enterprising and progressive agriculturist, who followed systematic business methods, and by his marked industry, careful management and honorable dealing secured a handsome competence.

    During the civil war Mr. Switzer manifested his loyalty to the government and his fidelity to the Union cause by enlisting in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry, for one hundred days' service. The regiment was stationed at Arlington Heights in order to defend the city of Washington . After his return he resumed farming. On the 21st of January, 1869, he chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey, Miss Sallie Ziegler, who was born in 1840, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where the marriage was celebrated. They now have two sons, Jesse Montgomery and Edward L. The former occupies a lucrative position in the office of the National Cash Registry Company, at Dayton. He married Miss Margaret Whyte, of that city, and has twins, Reed and Ruth, who are about two years of age. Edward L. Switzer married Bertha Wilson and they have a little son, named Wilson Lee. Edward Switzer lives on the home farm in Concord township. Mr. Switzer and his wife occupy a very pleasant residence in Troy. The family are all church members, Mr. and Mrs. Switzer belonging to the Lutheran church, in which he has served as an elder, while Jesse M. is a member of the Presbyterian church, and Edward L. is a member of the Christian church. In his political views our subject is Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and through many years' service on the school board he has done effective work in its interest. For about thirty-five years he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Pleasant Hill Lodge, No. 361, F. & A. M. Such in brief is the life history of one of the most reliable and substantial citizens of Miami county, a man whose upright career has gained him the confidence of all with whom he has been associated in business or private life.

    Return to the Biography Index

    Return to Main Page


    Copyright © 2000 by Computerized Heritage Association.
    All Rights Reserved.