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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	121
(Noel) Swope, was born on his father's farm just outside of the present borough of Chest Spring, Allegheny township, December 5, 1838. His opportunities for gaining an education in the common schools were quite limited; for he was the eldest son, and from early childhood he helped his parents with the work of the farm. He did, however, attend the district school of the township and there acquired the rudiments of an education, and later in life he employed every opportunity of study and reading and in that way enlarged on the foundation laid in the few months schooling he had when a boy. For many years he has been regarded as a well informed man, a thoughtful reader and a careful observer of men and affairs. Mr. Swope was at the time of his death the oldest living descendant of Joseph Swope, of Pheterhausen, Alsace, the soldier of the Napoleonic war. But unlike his ancestor of Alsace he is ancestor of a numerous line of descendants, especially on his mother's side, and among them on both sides are some of the best families and capable business men of northern Cambria county.     Joseph P. Swope lived at home with his parents until the second year of the civil war, when with his brother Peter J. he entered the Union service. They enlisted, September 10, 1862, in Company A of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry (Captain George S. Ringlove, Colonel Samuel P. Spear), and were mustered into service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and in October were hurried forward to their regiment, which for some time had been in the field. They went first to Camp Suffolk on the Elizabeth river, between Portsmouth and Petersburg, Virginia. The regiment took part in several skirmishes, but the first real battle in which Mr. Swope was engaged was at Kelley's Farm, Virginia, followed in succession by that at Franklin, Staunton Bridge, Ream's Station and Smith's Farm near Petersburg, Virginia. These battles were interpersed with numerous minor engagements and skirmishes and were followed by others of like character. The Tenth at first formed a part of the Army of Virginia and North Carolina under Major general Ben. Butler, and later was attached to the Army of the Potomac. During his army service Mr. Swope never was seriously wounded, and, although at Ream's Station his horse was shot under him he was only slightly injured. He was mustered out and discharged at Pittsburg, July 22, 1865.     Returning to his home after the war Mr. Swope remained on the farm two years, then married and soon afterward went with his wife to Luzerne county, where they lived two years. From 1870 to 1895 he was a farmer in Chest township, Cambria county, then retired and took up his residence in Cresson, remaining there four years. From that time until his death, February 15, 1906, he lived in Patton, Cambria, county. When he moved from Luzerne county to Chest township Mr. Swope undertook the work of clearing and opening a new farm. It was a considerable undertaking, even at that time, but he was young and strong, with plenty of moral courage and perseverance, and he had the assistance and encouragement of a loyal young wife. This made the work easier and it was finished in good season; when he retired from active farming pursuits, after twenty-five years on that place, Mr. Swope had what probably was the best farm in all its appointments in Chest township.     Like his father Mr. Swope led a quiet life, except during his army service, which was not without its exciting events. He was a successful farmer, a man much respected in every community in which he lived, a firm and consistent Democrat and a capable public servant in

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