Biography: Oscar SWEERS

From Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan..., Chicago, Chapman Bros., 1892, pp. 620 - 621:

OSCAR SWEERS, a representative, prosperous farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 26, Atlas Township, Genesee County, was born September 11, 1848. His parents were Manley and Lydia (Van Cleve) Sweers, the former being a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. In 1836 they emigrated to Michigan and took up land from the Government and lived in the dense forest miles away from any neighbor in a log cabin. A number of years later the father built a better home and into it he moved his family, but nowhere were they happier than in that little log cabin. In those early days Mr. Sweers used oxen in breaking up his ground and in other farming operations. He is now an octogenarian and is one of the oldest living pioneers in Atlas Township.

The father of our subject has ever been public-spirited and enterprising and cheerfully endured the many hardships which came to the pioneers of a new country. In September, 1891, he was deeply bereaved by the death of his faithful companion, who had shared with him the joys and sorrows of life and in her death the country lost one of its most valuable pioneer women.

Oscar Sweers was reared to man's estate amid scenes of pioneer life and in his early days assisted his father in the rough work incident to a new country. He used to drive the ox-team which broke the stubborn virgin soil and became inured to the hardest kind of farm work. He received his education in the district schools and is mainly self-educated. December 9, 1875, he married Frances E., daughter of John and Hulda Rhodes. The father of Mrs. Sweers who is now deceased, is memorialized in this volume. By this union one daughter has been born, Jessie E., who was born December 3, 1876.

The gentleman of whom we write is a staunch Republican in politics and is an earnest advocate of the principles represented by that word. He is public spirited and ever active in movements which are intended to elevate the standard of morality and education in the community. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres which he calls the home farm, besides thirty-five acres in Lapeer County, and he and his good wife are highly esteemed as members of society.