General Marion Swanson of Muskogee, well known in real estate circles through his purchase and sale of farm lands, is also engaged in farming, but follows this more as a recreation than as a source of livelihood.
He was born in Lineville, Iowa, April 29, 1863, and is a son of William E. and Susan J. (Edgemand) Swanson. His father was always engaged in farming and stock raising and General Swanson, therefore, early became familiar with the various phases of agricultural life. He was educated in the public schools of Millersburg, Cherokee county, Kansas, and when not busy with his textbooks worked in the fields and assisted in the cultivation of the old homestead. In 1894 he removed to Oklahoma and for six years was engaged in farming in Lincoln County. While there residing he was elected for public office, being made deputy sheriff of the county, a position which he filled for two years.
In August, 1902, Mr. Swanson came to Muskogee, then a part of the Indian Territory, and here he began dealing in agricultural leases, since which time he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon real estate. He now buys and sells property and places farm loans and has a large clientage. He also owns farm lands which he cultivates, finding pleasure in the development of the soil and the production of the crops.
On the 29th of December, 1885, General Swanson was married to Miss Beulah K. Diamond, a native of Kentucky, and they have become the parents of six children: Ray D., Beulah Maude, Archie Glenn, William Earl, Lillian Ruth and Thomas Marion.
The parents are consistent members of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal church, South, and General Swanson formerly served on the board of stewards. He likewise belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Royal Arch degrees. He has also been somewhat active in public affairs, filling the office of county commissioner and serving as chairman of the board in 1911-12. He has sought through his business activities and in other ways to support and advance those interests which are of real worth and value to the city and its improvement and while his life record has never been spectacular in any way it has always been of a character that has led to the substantial up building and advancement of city and state.
Mr. Swanson is one of the few men now living who crossed the plains from the states to the Pacific before the railroads were built, haying made the trip over in 1864, and back in 1866, with ox teams and armed guards, to fight the Indians.