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Submitted: 3/29/12 • Approved: 4/1/12 • Last Updated: 8/30/12 • R668898-G668897-S3
Ira
Oct 4 1879 - Nov 16 1927
*Obituary
Benton County Herald
Thursday, November 17, 1927
SWEARINGEN, Ira - Ira Swearingen, circuit clerk of Benton county from 1918 to 1925, died at his home in Rogers Wednesday morning, November 16, 1917 from severe burns received the previous morning when lighting a stove in his home. Coal oil was used to start the fire and when he lit it an explosion followed, setting fire to his clothes. He immediately ran outdoors and rolled in the grass to put out the flames. Mr. Swearingen was so badly burned about his body that death resulted twenty-four hours later. Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist church in Rogers this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Dr. W. James Robinson of Fort Smith, his former pastor in Bentonville, conducted the services. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The church was filled to overflowing with old friends of many years standing. Ira Swearingen was born near Avoca October 4, 1879. His mother died when he was an infant and he was cared for and reared by Squire and Mrs. A.A. Puckett. His father died in 1894. He was educated in the old Rogers academy. He taught school and served many years as deputy circuit clerk. In 1918 he was elected circuit clerk and served six years. He lived in Bentonville about 12 years. During his last term of office he had the misfortune to fall while shingling his house, breaking his hip. Mr. Swearingen did not recover from this injury and it was necessary to use a crutch. After retiring from office he bought a small farm near Rogers and some time afterwards purchased a grocery store on West Walnut street. Mr. Swearingen was a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a faithful Christian since childhood. He was superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School in Bentonville and Rogers for several years. On one occasion he missed the train while in Siloam Springs and walked to Rogers, a distance of nearly 37 miles, to be present at Sunday School. He was married March 14, 1905 to Miss Edith Irelan, daughter of a well known Rogers family, who survives him. To them were born four children, Ruth, Lawrence, Mary Jane and John. Miss Ruth is a student in the University of Arkansas. Mr. Swearingen was a self-made man and overcame many hardships in securing his education.
Edith
Aug 25 1883 - Aug 27 1974
*Obituary
Springdale News
Wednesday, August 28, 1974
MRS. EDITH SWEARINGEN
Mrs. Edith J. Swearingen, 91, 712 S. Third St., Rogers, Memorial Hospital. Born Aug. 25, 1883, in Le Sueur, Minn., she was the daughter of J.W. and Clara Woods Irelan and a member of First Baptist Church in Rogers.
Survivors include one son, John Swearingen, Rogers; two daughters, Mrs. R.S. Terhune, Lake Bluff, Ill., and Mrs. W.S. Gaylord, Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Callison Chapel of Rogers.
Contributed on 3/29/12 by wfields55
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Record #: 668898