ROBERT WILLIAM SWIM
            
Robert William Swim was born in Fleming County, Kentucky on March 15, 1833. He 
was the first of five sons of Nellie Riggs and Jarvis Taylor Swim. He lived in 
Kentucky until about 1848. Jarvis Taylor Swim, his second wife Mahala Vannattin 
(Nell ie probably died between 1840 and 1842), -and the children (except Samuel) 
lived in Barboise, Gasconade County, Missouri in 1850 (according to the 1850
Missouri Census) .
    
            
"He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church,-.South in 1853 and at once erected a 
family altar,which he kept until he was called home". This was recorded in his 
obituary written by his brother Samuel. Samuel said, "Also, he was a steward for 
a long time, being very faithful and much of his life was spent in Sunday-school 
work as Superintendent".
    
On June 22, 1854, Robert married Sophia Ann Coppedge i Steelville, Missouri 
(Crawford County,). They had one son Samuel Edward Swim, born August 2, 1859. 
The 1860 Missouri Census lists Robert, Sophia and Samuel living in Steelville 
next door to the Coppedges (Sophia's family).
    
In March 1862, Robert went to Texas and served with the 23rd Texas Cavalry, 
Company "C" until the end of the Civil War. It is assumed that Sophia had died 
between June' 1860 (date of the 1860 Census) and March 1862.Apparently, other 
Swims came to Texas about this time, too. His brother Samuel's children were 
born in Texas in 1863, 1865 and 1867. His half-sister, Lucy Jane Swim, is 
listed--in the 1880 Texas Census (Dallas County) as living with brother Samuel.
    
After the war ended, Robert headed northward to the Cherokee Nation, Indian 
Territory in Cooweescoowee District (near present day Claremore, Oklahoma). On 
March 11, 1869 he married Mary Elizabeth Ward. They had three daughters and one 
son: Martha Jane Swim, born August 12, 1873; Nellie Swim, born May 1, 1875; John 
Lipe Swim, born August 1878; and Sarah Ann Swim, born December 6, 1885.
    
The 1880 Indian Territory Census shows Robert as a "white" whose occupation was 
a blacksmith. No other census lists an occupation for h im.
    
Robert lived with his family in the Claremore area until the time of his death 
on June 14, 1837. He is buried in the Oowala Cemetery (which is about 5 miles 
north of Claremore). His tombstone has on it the Masonic emblem Master Mason. 
His wife, Mary Elizabeth, and their children are also buried there.
    
Again referring to his brother Robert, Samuel wrote, "He was greatly beloved by 
all, was faithful to duty, -and has a good reward