Christian Swartz was born in Germany, near the Rhine, Jan. 6, 1806. He died in Jefferson township, Fayette Co., Feb. 25, 1875. He was educated in the public schools of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1833, landing at Charleston, S. C., and then went to Baltimore. He there took a road-wagon and traveled to Westmoreland County, Pa., near Mount Pleasant, where he rented a farm. There he married Elizabeth Seightlinger, who had emigrated from Germany with him. They remained in Westmoreland County eight years. Then they located in Tyrone township, Fayette Co., where they remained four years. They settled where the family now lives in 1846. They had six children, five of whom are living, Susan, married to Hugh Laughlin; John, married first to Maggie Blair, again to Mary Krepps; Christian, married to Mary Jane Clark, who is dead; Lizzie, unmarried; Joseph, unmarried; James, married first to Mary S. Lytle, again to Catharine Beck.
Christian Swartz was a farmer, and one of the best in the country.
Mr. Swartz and his wife had about three dollars when he married and settled in Westmoreland County. By industry and economy he accumulated a good deal of property, leaving his children lands, bonds, etc. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church before he left Germany. He united with Little Redstone Presbyterian Church soon after coming to Fayette County. He was noted for his piety, and was a useful citizen. Mr. Swartz had the respect of all who knew him, and was specially known and esteemed by his neighbors as a kind father to his family, as a faithful friend and honest citizen, upright in all his dealings with his fellow-men. Mrs. Swartz, now seventy-two years of age (1882), survives him, together with three sons and two daughters. Another son, Christian, died in the spring of 1878.