60

BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA

Illinois, he continued the practice of his profession with eminent success until 1862. At this time the Civil War was in progress, and being filled with patriotic zeal, he joined the Twelfth regiment of the Illinois infantry in the capacity of assistnat surgeon. For two years he discharged the duties of this office with an efficiency and earnestness which gained for him a promotion to the surgeoncy of the One Hundred and Eleventh regiment of Illinois infantry. He remained with this regiment as surgeon until it was mustered out in 1865.     After the war Dr. Swan returned to Johnstown and entered into a professional partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Sheridan, which lasted for ten years. Since that time he has practiced by himself, and in the performance of his professional duties has been to his patients a benefactor and a kind friend.     The circumstances of Dr. Swan's life have amply attested to his genuine and fruitful ability. His associates in the medical profession have accorded him signal honors. He has served as president of the Cambria County Medical society, is a member of the State Medical society of Pennsyylvania, and has been a delegate to its meetings twice, once when it was held at Philadelphia and once at Bedford Springs. He was also a delegate to the American Medical asociation at one of its meetings in Washington and at one in Philadelphia. In addition to these honorable and responsible positions which he has held in the associations of his profession, Dr. Swan served, during the adminstration of President Arthur,

as a member of the pension examining board of Cambria county.     He is a member of Cambria lodge of Masons, No. 228, and of Emory Fisher Post No. 30, G. A. R., at Johnstown.     The Scotchman as "gude buid," an universal and long-established belief. Nothing in the life of this descendant of a Scotchman will disturb it. S. C. REAM.  The early ancestors bearing the name Ream came from Germany and settled in Cambria county, where Samuel Ream, the grandfather of our subject, was born. He followed the blacksmith trade, in connection with his farming pursuits up until the time of his death.     Elias Ream, father of our subject, was born in Conemaugh township, near Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1821.     His education was very limited, being secured in the district schools of his day. The facilities for securing much education were denied him. When quite young he entered his father's smithshop, where he subsequently learned the trade and followed it continuously up until his death, which occurred in 1873, he having spent the entire fifty-two years of his life in Cambria county.     The Reams of which he was a descendant were among the earliest of Cambria county's settlers, and helped to make the county what it is to-day.     He was an active man politically, at first a whig and then a republican. He served as school director several times, as well as having filled other local offices.     Religiously he was an active member and earnest worker in the German Baptist church.     Mr. Ream was married three times and was the father of twenty-one children, all of whom

Title Page

Contents

Image

Index