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Z. M. Swisher, farmer, was born in Monongalia County, W. Va., in 1813, the son of Jacob and Josilla (Morgan) Swisher. The father, born in Bradford, Va., the son of Henry Swisher, of German origin, went to West Virginia when a young man, made rich in 1808, and spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He died about 1858. The mother, born in the same county, died about 1878. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Churoh.

Our subject was educated in the common schools, and in 1836 married Louisa Merifield, a native of the same county. Three of their six children are living: Samuel L., Henry M. and Helen R. In 1852 he moved to Franklin County, and rented land

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until he purchased his home. For over twenty years he has lived on his present home of 160 acres, and has accumulated his property by his energy and good management. Formerly a Whig, he has since the war been a Republican. For thirty-nine years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife, who died in 1877, also belonged.