Answers Last Call
Capt. John Schweers Dies
At a Ripe Age
WAS DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN
Splendid Record in Military and Civil Life
One by one the sturdy oaks fall until the pioneers shall be known only by their deeds Capt. John M.” Schweers passed away Sunday morning, Dec, 20th, at 8 o’clock, after a prolonged illness, death being caused by dropsical trouble coupled with general debility attendont upon old age.
John M. Schweers was born Dec. 13, 1835, in Germany and came to America in 1855, when 19 years old, and located in Wisconsin and was in Dodge County when the war came on. He was among the first to enlist and enrolled April 22, 1861, under the first call for three months volunteer, the company expecting to be enrolled in the first regiment that left the state, but companies reported so fast that the Dodge county Organization was enrolled tot the 3rd regiment as Co. H and before the company left the state it was mustered into the three years service. Mr. Schweers went to the war as a private and was made 2d Sergeant soon after.
He was steadily promoted after some battles in which he showed conspicuous gallantry until in 1863 he was made 1st Lieutenant and then after the battle of Atlanta to promoted to Captain of his company of which he had been in the State in June, 1861, to his discharge, July 15, 1865, and was the hard fought battles in which it was engaged without exception, and was never sick an day and had a day’s leave of absence during the whole period.
Captain Schweers was a brave and valorous soldier and his record is on which anyone might well be proud, He was in some very important engagements, notably the battles of Cedar Mountain, at Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and went to Tennessee, where he was veteranized. After the capture of Atlanta, he went to sea with Sherman, having fought at Lookout Mountain. He was in the climatic marches and in the Grand Review before he returned to Louisville and mustered out in 1862 as stated.
Returning from the war Capt. Schweers came to Shawano and engaged in the hardware business, which thrived from the beginning and grew to be a large and prosperous business. This was finally disposed of to L. Rollman and event and he eventually sold it to A. Wipperman. The present Schweers Bros, hardware store, conducted by John and Frank was established in 1889, and was bound to be a success from its inception since they were so well schooled by their father in the business, and the sterling integrity and general uprightness of the Schweers character was bound to tell in their favor.
The elder Schweers was married Jan, 10,1864, to Theresa Koger, while at home on a veteran furlough. Mrs. Schweers is still living, also three children, John F., Frank S, and Mrs. Mary Graser. He also leaves three brothers August, Peter and Fred, and one sister, Mrs. H, Naber.
Capt Schweers was one of the first to move in the establishment of G. A. R. Post No: 81 in Shawano. He was a man of prominent ability, and won his position in civil life, as in military, by his own efforts. He served on the staff of the State commander, served 6 years as County Clerk of Shawano County, has officiated as Sheriff and Treasurer and was a most distinguished citizen.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the late residence of deceased and was largely attended. Rev. Hannow conducted the service and the Lutheran choir furnished the music. The pallbears were R. W. Jackson, W. H. Murdock John Olmstead, Fred. Wirth, Charles Culver, and James McEwan.
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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN
Biographical Sketch
Capt. John M. Schweers
Shawano Co Journal
Capt. John M. Schweers, Sheriff of Shawano County, was born and reared in Germany. In 1856, at the age of nineteen he came to Wisconsin and settled in Dodge County. When his country called her citizens to arms, he responded to the call and enlisted in Co. E. 3rd Wis. V. I., May 2, 1861, as a second sergeant. After an active service, he was honorably discharged as first lieutenant Co. A. 3e Wis. V. K. He however, re-enlisted as veteran in the same company, retaining his rank, and remained in the service till the end of the war, retiring from the service with the rank of captain of Co. H. After his war services, he turned his attention to the tin smithing business which he established here in 1865, and which he still conducts.
In 1872, he was elected County Clerk of Shawano County, and filled the office for three consecutive terms. In 1880, he was elected to the Sheriff of the county for the terms 1881-82. In 1864, he was married to Miss Theressa Krueger who was born in Germany. They have a family of two sons, John and Frank, and one daughter, Mary. The captain is an active and enterprising citizen and a reputable soldier, devoted to the development of his adopted State and county.