Qtr. Mr. Michael Frederick Swartzcope

Son of Joseph Swartzcope & Catherine Anna Broixdam. Joseph was born in Bohemia and was a weaver. He served as a soldier under Napoleon and was wounded at the battle of Austerlitz. He and Catherine were married in the Cathedral of Cologne in Cologne, Germany in 1807 and in 1814 they immigrated to America. They first lived in Elizabethtown, Maryland then the family moved to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, then to Bedford and in 1835 moved west to St. Louis, Missouri. Joseph died in Cottleville, Missouri in 1847. They had seven children. Catherine is living in the August and Susan Closterman household during the 1850 U.S. Census in St. Charles County, Missouri. Her estimated birth year is 1786. I believe Susan Closterman is her daughter. Catherine died in 1851.

Michael Swartzcope was born in Chambersville, Pennsylvania and at age fourteen served an apprenticeship to the cooper's trade which he worked at for several years. At the age of seventeen, he moved to Madison County, Illinois, and later moved to Missouri, then to Ohio. In 1842, he moved to Chester, Illinois.

He married Zerelda Harmon in 1842. She was born in Randolph County, Illinois in March of 1821. In 1845 they moved to Murphysboro and he worked as a cooper there until 1869 when he moved to Grand Tower. They were the parents of six children. Zerelda died in 1854.

In 1854, he served as Associate Justice of the County Court and in 1865 he was elected County Judge, which position he served for four years. He had also served as a Notary Public, Road Supervisor and School Director.

In 1858 he was elected County Surveyor of Jackson County and was serving his second term when the war broke out.

Michael Swartzcope was good friends with John A. Logan and served with him during the Civil War. He participated in the battles of Belmont, Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson and the siege of Corinth. He also participated in siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Champion Hills and Raymond. He also participated in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, the march to the sea and the battles of Savannah and Bentonville. He served as Assistant Quartermaster of the Seventeenth Army Corps from the landing at Port Royal, South Carolina until he mustered out in Goldsboro, North Carolina, April 8, 1865.

From 1875-1879, he was the proprietor and editor of the Grand Tower Item, one of the first newspapers published in Jackson County. He is listed as executor of the estate of Michael Cassaday in January of 1883 in the Jackson County probate records.

He was a member and has served as Commander of John A. White Post of Grand Tower. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows' society.

Husband of 1) Zerelda Harmon, m. Dec 8, 1842, Randolph County, Illinois

Husband of 2) Harriet B. Tilden Gilchrist, m. Sept 24, 1867, Randolph County Illinois

Father of Susan Ellen, Albert R, Walter & Emma Belle

He was living at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Danville, Illinois when he died.

• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=84099873

Michael Swortzcope/ Swartzcope enlisted in Company A, 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment on 18 Sep 1861 with the rank of Musician. Promoted to Full Qtr Master Serg. Promoted to Full Quartermaster on 02 Apr 1862. Mustered out on 06 Apr 1865.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Illinois_Volunteer_Infantry_Regi...