Cumberland County, Maine - Edward Chesley Swett ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Edward Chesley Swett Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 604-605 Edward Chesley Swett, a highly successful business man whose experiences in life have been varied, and who has travelled very extensively throughout this country, visiting nearly every city of importance in the United States, looks with pride to Portland as his birthplace; nor has she cause to feel anything save gratification in owning him as a citizen. He was born on January 5, 1843, son of John and Mary (Woodman) Swett. His progenitors on both sides were worthy and highly respected people and among the earliest settlers of this country. His paternal grandfather, William Swett, was born at Westbrook, Me., where he followed the occupation of a farmer for a time, after which he removed to the city of Portland and engaged quite extensively in the trucking business, for many years owning a number of horses. John Swett, son of William, was born at Portland in the year 1815, and received his education in the public schools. When a young man he entered the office of the Eastern Argus to learn the trade of a printer, at which he worked for several years. He then established an express line, since known as Swett's Express, on the Boston line of boats, and from a small beginning worked up an eminently successful business, which furnished employment to a number of men both in Portland and Boston. He continued in that business throughout the remainder of his life. During the Presidential administration of James Buchanan he served for a time as chief clerk in the Portland post-office; and when Judge William L. Putnam was Mayor, in 1871, he acted as City Marshal. He died in February, 1883. His marriage with Miss Mary Woodman was solemnized at Portland. He was born in Buxton, Me., daughter of Aaron Woodman, a descendant of an old and highly respected family of that place. Her paternal grandfather, who was a patriot soldier of the Revolution, was a lineal descendant of Edward Woodman, who came to New England in 1635 from the parish of Christian Malford, Wiltshire County, England. Mrs. Mary W. Swett bore her husband four children, as follows: George L. Swett, present Postmaster of Portland; Mary A., who married George A. Head, and resides in Chicago, Ill.; Edward Chesley Swett.; and Charles F. Swett, living in Portland. Edward Chesley Swett, after acquiring his education in the city and high schools of Portland, entered the establishment of Lowell & Senter, an old and prominent Portland firm, to serve an apprenticeship at the watchmaker's trade. On August 26, 1862, he left his place to enlist for service in the Civil War in Company A of the Twenty-fifth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was made Sergeant of the company. The regiment was at once ordered to Arlington Heights, Va., to assist in the defenses of Washington, and there remained three months. Company A was then detailed for special duty as guard of the Washington end of the Long Bridge in Washington, and was thus employed until March, 1863, at which time it rejoined the regiment. The Twentyfifth was then ordered to picket the line from Centreville to Chantilly, and remained there until after General Lee moved up the Shenandoah Valley and the Army of the Potomac came up inside their line and passed up into Maryland, after which they returned to the Washington fortifications and were stationed there until the expiration of their term of service, June 29, 1863, when they were ordered to Maine and honorably discharged at Portland. Mr. Swett returned to the position he had left with Lowell & Senter, and after serving out his apprenticeship continued with them until 1871. He then went to Boston to work for the well-known firm of Shreve, Crump & Low, jewelers, and had charge of their watch department until 1880. Purchasing an interest with an old and well-established theatrical company, he spent the next five years in travel throughout the United States, going from Maine to Texas and from New York to the Golden Gate, visiting en route every city whose population exceeds twenty-five thousand, with the exception of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Not long after he sold his interest in that company he received an appointment from President Cleveland as Post Office Inspector for the New England and Middle States Divisions; and he served acceptably in that capacity for eighteen months. He next opened a jeweler’s store on Congress Street opposite Monument Square, and did business there for four years, or until 1894, since which time he has engaged in delivering his illustrated lecture, entitled "Picturesque Maine," in different places in the United States with brilliant success. On April 18, 1870, Mr. Swett was united in marriage with Miss Annie E. Russell, a daughter of John Russell, of Portland. This union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters, namely: Mabel, who married E. S. Kennard, of Brunswick, Me.; and Annie Russell Swett. Mr. Swett has always been a stanch supporter of the Democratic principles. He was a charter member of the Young Men's Democratic Club, being the first to advocate the formation of such an association, and has acted as delegate to various county and State conventions. In 1892 he represented the First District of Maine in the National Convention at Chicago, at which Grover Cleveland was nominated for the Presidency; and it is well remembered how eloquently he spoke in favor of a resolution of condolence to the Hon. James G. Blaine from the National Democratic Convention of 1892, on account of the death of his son, Emmons Blaine. He was a member of the committee that went to Madison Square Garden, New York, to notify Mr. Cleveland of his nomination. From that time until the Maine elections he was actively engaged in speaking at Democratic rallies in different places throughout the State, and then went to New York State, where he continued in the same work until the elections there. Until 1871, when he changed his residence to Boston, Mass., Mr. Swett was identified with the Ancient Landmark Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Portland Commandery, Knights Templars, in all of which he held office; and for twelve years he has been a member of Bosworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is the present Commander, and as such is a member of the National Encampment.