George Alfred Swenson
| Date of Interment or Death | 04/22/1949 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 14-6-1n |
Obituary
G. A. Swenson, Once Law Officer Funeral Friday
Served as Sheriff, Highway Patrolman and Police Chief
George A. Swenson, former sheriff and chief of police, died Tuesday afternoon at St. Mary hospital. Well known and respected all over Richland county, he had served in many pubic offices but his chief interest was in peace officer work.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday from Bethel Lutheran church and burial will be in Fairview cemetery. Military rites will be conducted. The body will lie in state at Schmitt & Olson chapel until the time of services.
Mr. Swenson came to Wahpeton in 1923 as a deputy sheriff under the late A. E. McMichael. He was elected sheriff in 1927 and served with distinction for two terms. He was appointed deputy county treasurer in 1932 but resigned soon after to enter the garage business in Fergus Falls.
He returned to police work as a member of the state highway patrol out of Fargo in 1936. He was a member of the Fargo police force from 1927 to 1939 when he was persuaded to return to Wahpeton as chief of police. It was here that he reached a high point in his career, placing the Wahpeton police department on its present high plane.
He resigned as chief of police in 1947 to become a salesman for Lillegard Chevrolet company.
George Alfred Swenson was born July 5th, 1893, in Eagle township, the son of the of the late August and Louisa Swenson. His father homesteaded there and George remained on the farm until he was elected sheriff.
He was married to Ida Mickelson July 11, 1923. He survived by two children, Arthur Martin and Bernice Louise at home, two brothers Rudolph of Madison, Minn., and Chester of Christine, and two sisters, Mrs. Selmer (Mabel) Ness of Wolverton, and Mrs. Arthur (Myrtle) Ness of Minneapolis.
He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran church here, the Wahpeton Masonic lodge, the American Legion and the Eagles. He was a veteran of the first world war, entering the service July 22, 1918, and being discharged as a corporal January 28, 1919.
Mr. Swenson was taken ill last December. Up until then he had enjoyed normal health. He failed rapidly until he was taken to Fargo for an operation. While he was known to be fatally ill, his death at 3 p.m., April 19 was unexpected.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.