One of the oldest millers of Ohio and one of the most capable representatives of its industry is Daniel Swallow, who is conducting a successful business in the line of his chosen vocation in Bethel township, Miami county. He was born in Butler town- ship, Montgomery county, on the 3d of July, 1831, and is a son of James O. and Judith (Hutchins) Swallow. His parents were married in Butler township and there resided for some years. From the pioneer epoch in the history of Ohio the family has been identified with its upbuilding and improvement along material lines. The grandfather, Sylvanus Swallow, was a resident of Pennsylvania, whence he came to the Buckeye state during the war of 1812. James O. Swallow was a farmer and lumber manufacturer. He owned an extensive and valuable tract of land and for thirty years he was engaged in the lumber business, operating an old water mill on Poplar creek at that early day, and later conducting a steam mill at Vandalia. Prominent in the affairs of the community, he served for twenty-one years as justice of the peace, discharging his duties with marked ability and fairness. His political support was given the Republican party and he took an active interest in its work and success. His entire married life was spent in Butler township, Montgomery county. His death occurred in Vandalia, in his sixty-sixth year. His wife passed away when about the same age.

Daniel Swallow, whose name introduces this review, began work in his father's mill when about fifteen years of age and occupied the position of head sawyer in the steam mill at Vandalia. Subsequently he purchased a half-interest in that mill, his partner being Jacob Kaufman. After several years they sold out, and Mr. Swallow removed to Tadmor, Montgomery county, where he built a circular-saw mill, which he operated for two years. In 1872 he came to his present home in Bethel township, Miami county, and, in partnership with John Ross, purchased the steam mill which he now conducts. The relationship was maintained for nine years and afterward Mr. Swallow was in partnership with Henry Howard for two years. On the expiration of that period he became sole proprietor and has since carried on the business with excellent success. He does custom work principally and his patronage is extensive and of a profitable character. His son, D. W. Swallow, now assists him in buying both logs and timber. Mr. Swallow ships the products of his mill to Dayton and other markets. He makes a specialty of handling oak, hickory, ash and poplar lumber to be used in the construction of bridges and wagons. His lumber is nearly all cut to order and many of his patrons have been numbered among his purchasers for many years. Soon after coming to Bethel township Mr. Swallow purchased a half interest in a similar custom mill at Brandt and was interested in its operation for nine years, during which time he was connected with several partners. He acted as sawyer at each mill and still performs the work of head sawyer in his Bethel mill, having devoted his energies to that special branch of work for fifty-four years. At one time his hand was slightly cut by the saw, but he has never had an accident of a serious nature. He is one of the oldest mill men now living in Ohio and few have such a comprehensive and exact understanding of the business. He is thoroughly familiar with the work of manufacturing lumber, both in principle and detail, and his long experience has made him peculiarly capable.

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Swallow put aside business cares for a time in order to aid his country, then engaged in civil war. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, and served for four months at City Point and in the vicinity of Richmond, being discharged in the month of September. Previous to this Mr. Swallow was a member of Company E, Twelfth Regular Battalion, Ohio National Guards, joining on the 6th of July, 1863, for a term of five years, and, through his service in the civil war, was honorably discharged from this organization, May 1, 1866.

On the 17th of July, 1851, at Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Swallow was married to Miss Louisa Micum, who was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, and removed to Montgomery county, when a maiden of ten years, in company with her parents, Daniel and Nancy (Linn) Micum. Her father died in Illinois, and her mother, who afterward married Henry Snyder, is now residing in Seneca, South Dakota, a well- preserved old lady of eighty-four years. Mrs. Swallow was only sixteen years of age at the time of her marriage. She now has five children: Amanda, who for twelve years engaged in teaching school, spending that entire time in two districts, was afterwards married to James M. White, who was engaged in the nursery and fruit business. His death occurred on the 12th of March, 1898, since which time Mrs. White has resided with her parents. Caroline is the wife of William Putterbaugh, of Bethel township, Miami county. Rhoda is the wife of Charles Senseman, also of Bethel township. Daniel Webster married Emma Davidson and resides on the farm near his father. Elizabeth is the wife of Daniel Slanker, a resident of Wayne township, Montgomery county. Retta, a daughter of Caroline Putterbaugh and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Swallow, has made her home in their family since her childhood. Five generations of the Swallow family are living. Mr. Swallow and his daughter, Mrs. White, own, in partnership, a nice little farm of seventy-one acres of fine land, well improved, and have other investments which represent the fruits of their well-spent energies.

In his political views Mr. Swallow is a Republican and served as township trustee one term, but refused further election on account of interference with his business. Socially he is connected with the Milton Weaver Post, G. A. R., at Vandalia. He has always greatly enjoyed hunting and in former days had excellent opportunities to indulge his love for that sport in this section of Ohio. As the state has become more thickly settled, however, game has in consequence been driven to wilder haunts and he has frequently gone with a hunting party to Michigan and Minnesota. He is a member of the Buckeye Gun Club, and of the Dayton and Wilson Gun Club and has won distinction as an excellent shot. In manner Mr. Swallow is frank, genial and courteous. During his long residence in this section of the state he has become widely known and is quite popular among the better class of citizens of this community. He has never indulged in the use of tobacco or intoxicating liquors and his life has at all times been loyal to truth, honor and right, and as one of the early settlers and representative business men of Miami county he well deserves mention in this volume.