Theodor-R-and-Helen-V-Swem-PapersSwem, Theodor R. and Helen V., PapersGuide to the Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem Papers Mss. Acc. 2008.165Finding Aid Authors: Daniel Vivas, Amy White, Kim Sims.Special Collections Research Center

2009-03-26

William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library400 Landrum DrWilliamsburg, VirginiaBusiness Number: 757-221-3090spcoll@wm.eduURL:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-15 13:10:54 -0400.English Special Collections Research Center Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem Papers Swem, Helen V. Swem Cottage Gallery (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Swem family Swem, E. L. Swem, Theodor R. Mss. Acc. 2008.165 /repositories/2/resources/8673 1.00 Linear Feet 1856-1996 1950-1970 English Biographical Information:

Helen V. Swem is the wife of Theodor Swem and the niece-in-law of Earl Gregg Swem.

Acquisition Information:

Acc. 2008.165 is a gift, received December 2008. Acc. 2009.392 is a gift, received 09/15/2009.

Processing Information:

Arranged and described by Daniel Vivas in March 2009; finding aid revised by Amy White in September 2009, folder titles updated and finding aid revised by Kim Sims, September 2014.

Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Related Materials:

Earl Gregg Swem Genealogy Collection, 1719-1982 (Mss. 82 Swem4)

Arrangement of Materials:

The collection is arranged into the following series: Correspondence, Genealogical Documents and Notes, Published Materials about the Family, Earl Gregg Swem Materials, Materials Related to the College of William and Mary, and Photographs.

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of personal papers, genealogy material and family photographs, gathered by Theodor R. and Helen V. Swem. Included are original documents, notes on the Swem, Gregg and Wright families, correspondence among family members regarding genealogy, articles, books, publications and diaries by or about the families, photographs of family members, including one of Dr. Earl Gregg Swem, Sr., Earl Gregg Swem, Jr., and Earl Gregg Swem, III, and material on Earl Gregg Swem's connection to the College of William and Mary. The collection also contains photographs, circa 1870s-1988, taken of and by members of the Swem family. Some of the 19th century photographs were taken by E.L. (Edward Lawrence) Swem, the father of Earl Gregg Swem, who was the owner of Swem & Newton Gallery in Belle Plaine, Iowa and later of Swem Cottage Gallery (or also Swems Studio) in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Most photographs are described and often dated on the reverse side.

Correspondence Photographs Tintypes (photographic prints) Virginia--Genealogy Genealogy College of William and Mary. Swem Library Gregg family Luce family Swem family Wright family Box 1id241058/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519251Correspondence among Swem Family Membersid241059/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519271890-199611Correspondence among Swem Family Members (with attachments)id241060/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519281938-195812"Uncle Earl's Letters," (1 of 2)id241061/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519291946-196513Uncle Earl's Letters, (2 of 2)id241062/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519301946-196514Invitation to the 49th Annual Gregg Family Reunionid241063/repositories/2/archival_objects/351931198815Genealogical Notesid241064/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519321953, 1955, 1995, undated16Biographical Information on Anthony Wrightid241065/repositories/2/archival_objects/351933undated17Lease Agreements for Property in Cedar Rapids, Iowaid241066/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519341874, 187618Clipping on William Wright (a.k.a. Dan DeQuille)id241067/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519351948 September 819Family Data from Bibles (facsimiles)id241068/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519361958, undated110Iowa City Directoryid241069/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519371995111Family Tree of Samuel Stuart and Amanda Swem Descendantsid241070/repositories/2/archival_objects/351938undated112Article on Asa Greggid241071/repositories/2/archival_objects/351939undated113Typescript Diary of Elizabeth "Lizzie" Stuartid241072/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519401856 September 8-1857 Mar. 4114Typescript Diary of James Stuartid241073/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519411863 Apr. 9-1863 June 22115"Short History of the Gregg Family,"id241074/repositories/2/archival_objects/351942undated116Log Cabin Historyid241075/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519431958117"Personal Recollection of the Early Settlement of Wapsinonoc Township and the Murder of Atwood by the Indians" (facsimile)id241076/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519441974, 1979118"Ruth: Poem for the Times,"id241077/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519451979119"The Quaker Greggs" (facsimile of 1944 orginial)id241078/repositories/2/archival_objects/351946120Box 2id241079/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519262Edward Lawrence Swem, "In Memoriam,"id241080/repositories/2/archival_objects/351947191821Reminiscences of Earl Gregg Swemid241081/repositories/2/archival_objects/351948undated22"Letter to a Brother: Granville Stuart to James Stuart, April 1873," published in 1953 (facsimile)id241082/repositories/2/archival_objects/351949195323"The Boys of the Hawkeye State,"id241083/repositories/2/archival_objects/35195024Scope and Contents

1886 original, 1986 facsimile

"Our Quaker Ancestors,"id241084/repositories/2/archival_objects/351951197725Genealogy Sources for Family Materialid241085/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519521976, undated26Dr. Frederick Starrid241086/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519531934-196727Earl Gregg Swem Speeches and Written Materialid241087/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519541957-196028"Resolution Regarding Earl Gregg Swem,"id241088/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519551963-196529Articles and Speeches about Earl Gregg Swem's Achievementsid241089/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519561941-1965210Appraisal Report by James R. Bentleyid241090/repositories/2/archival_objects/351957undated211Letter from Charles W. Porter, IIIid241091/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519581965212Materials from the College of William and Maryid241092/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519591957-1979213Photographs: Swem Familyid241224/repositories/2/archival_objects/351960circa 1890-1920s214Earl Gregg Swem and Earl Gregg Swem, Jrid241225/repositories/2/archival_objects/351968circa 1917-1918214Theodor R. Swemid241226/repositories/2/archival_objects/351969circa 1939-1940214Theador R. Swem, son of AR Swem and Dora Doud Swemid241227/repositories/2/archival_objects/351970circa 1929-1930214Leota Swem, portraitid241229/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519711914214Scope and Contents

Leota Swem, sister of A. Raymond Swem and Earl G. Swem

Photographs: Swem Familyid241094/repositories/2/archival_objects/351961circa 1890-1920s215"Uncle William Swem," tintype portraitid241400/repositories/2/archival_objects/351972215Scope and Contents

Brother of E. L. Swem , Ted Swem, Sr.'s grandfather

Ross Elden Swem, portraitid241401/repositories/2/archival_objects/351973215Scope and Contents

Brother of E. L. Swem; one son, William Swem.

Phoebe Stuart Boarman, portraitid241402/repositories/2/archival_objects/351974215Scope and Contents

Cousin of Leota Swem

Guy Leroy Swem, portraitid241403/repositories/2/archival_objects/351975215Scope and Contents

Brother of Earl Gregg Swem; died 1878; 2 years old.

Luse, Swem, or Gregg relative, portrait, circa 1870id241404/repositories/2/archival_objects/351976215Scope and Contents

Possibly Sarah Ann Mills Luse, mother of Emeline Luse Swem

Reddyn Luse, portraitid241405/repositories/2/archival_objects/351977circa 1870215Scope and Contents

Reddyn Luse, 1816-1903. Father of Emeline Luse Swem

E. L. Swem, holding grandson, Edward Raymond Swemid241406/repositories/2/archival_objects/351978215E. L. Swem with grandson, Edward Raymond Swemid241407/repositories/2/archival_objects/351979215Frank Nichols, portraitid241408/repositories/2/archival_objects/351980215Scope and Contents

Married to Eliz Luse, sister of Emelies Luse and Swem

Guy Leroy Swem, portraitid241409/repositories/2/archival_objects/351981215Scope and Contents

Brother to Ray Swem

Francis Leigh Swem, portraitid241410/repositories/2/archival_objects/351982215Scope and Contents

Born 1884; died 1890

Mrs. A. R. Swem and Tedid241411/repositories/2/archival_objects/351983circa 1918215Scope and Contents

Dora Doud Swem holding her son, Ted.

Leota Swem, E. L. Swem, and Mrs. E. L. Swemid241412/repositories/2/archival_objects/351984215Scope and Contents

Standing in front of their home, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, prior to his death in 1918. World War I era.

Mrs. Emeline Luse Swemid241413/repositories/2/archival_objects/351985circa late 1930's-early 1940's215Scope and Contents

Grandma Swem, seated in rockingchair. 222 14th Street, N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Emeline Luse Swemid241414/repositories/2/archival_objects/351986circa 1917-1920215Scope and Contents

Grandma Swem, wife of E. L. Swem, standing in front of her home, 222 14th Street, N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Emeline Luse Swemid241415/repositories/2/archival_objects/351987World War I era215Scope and Contents

Standing in front of her home, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A. R. Swem "in the hole"id241416/repositories/2/archival_objects/351988215Scope and Contents

Excerpt from news clipping: "Crandic's General Superintendent Ray Swem is shown coming out of the Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park, Kiva, Colorado during his recent vacation."

Ted Swem, Lila Swem, Mrs. A. R. Swem, Grandmother Swem, and Leota Swemid241417/repositories/2/archival_objects/351989215Scope and Contents

Aunt Leota's first car, an Oldsmobile, in which we drove to Chicago one time on which was a real trip.

Margaret Swem, portraitid241418/repositories/2/archival_objects/351990circa 1890-1900215Scope and Contents

Daughter of Asa Swem and niece of E. L. Swem

Esther Luse, in garden with tiger lilyid241419/repositories/2/archival_objects/351991215Scope and Contents

Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Cousin of A. Raymond Swem; also cousin of Earl Gregg Swem

Mrs. Emeline Luse Swem and daughter, Leota Swemid241420/repositories/2/archival_objects/351992circa World War I era215Scope and Contents

At their home, 222 14th Street, N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Ted Swemid241421/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519931954 June215Scope and Contents

Shoshone Canyon, Wyoming

Ted Swemid241422/repositories/2/archival_objects/351994215Scope and Contents

FEI 1970. Conservationist and worked for the National Park Service.

Edward L. Swem, and wife, Emeline Luse Swemid241423/repositories/2/archival_objects/351995215Scope and Contents

Parents of Earl, Leota, and A. Raymond Swem. Grandparents of E. R. and T. R. Swem. Photo taken in their home, probably on 14th Street, N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Photographs: Swem Familyid241095/repositories/2/archival_objects/351962circa 1890-1920s216E. L. Swem, portraitid241424/repositories/2/archival_objects/351996216Scope and Contents

Edward Lawrence Swem

Leota Swem, Emeline Luse Swem, and A. Raymond Swemid241425/repositories/2/archival_objects/351997circa 1890216Scope and Contents

In family home, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Edward Raymond Swem, portraitid241427/repositories/2/archival_objects/351998circa 1911216Scope and Contents

Son of A. Raymond Swem and Dora Doud Swem and nephew of Earl Gregg Swem.

E. L. Swem, portraitid241428/repositories/2/archival_objects/351999216Scope and Contents

About age 60. Grandfather of T. R. Swem, Sr. on paternal side. Father of Earl Gregg Swem.

Photographs: Swem Familyid241096/repositories/2/archival_objects/351963circa 1890-1920s217Friends or classmates of Leota Swemid241703/repositories/2/archival_objects/352000217Scope and Contents

Perhaps friends, classmates, or sorority sisters of Leota Swem of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The woman in the front appears to be older, a teacher, advisor, or sponsor perhaps.

Leota Swem, portraitid241704/repositories/2/archival_objects/352001217Scope and Contents

Sister of Earl Gregg Swem

Earl Swem, Lilia Swem in living room of Swem's homeid241706/repositories/2/archival_objects/352002circa 1950s217Scope and Contents

Earl Swem, his wife Lilia Swem, and an unknown friend in the living room of the Swem's home, 119 Chandler Court, Williamsburg, Virginia. Earl was the son of E. L. Swem.

Dr. Earl Gregg Swem I, Earl Gregg Swem II, and Earl Gregg Swem IIIid241707/repositories/2/archival_objects/352003circa 1940s217Washington High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowaid241708/repositories/2/archival_objects/352004217Scope and Contents

Uncle Earl and Aunt Leota taught school here. A. R. Swem, Edward, and Ted went to school here.

Mrs. Emeline Luse Swemid241709/repositories/2/archival_objects/352005circa 1930s217Scope and Contents

Wife of E. L. Swem and mother of Earl, Leota, and A. Raymond Swem. Grandmother of Theodore R. Swem, Sr. This picture probably appeared in Cedar Rapids Gazette newspaper.

Fred McDonald and E. L. Swem, portraitid241710/repositories/2/archival_objects/352006217Scope and Contents

Fred McDonald, left, and E. L. Swem, right. Fred McDonald married Lily Gregg, daughter of Asa Gregg of West Liberty, Iowa. Robert McDonald, their son, was a musician. E.L. Swem and Lily Gregg McDonald were cousins. The name Swem is marked out above the monogram ELS (Edward Lawrence Swem) who owned the photography studio.

James Stuart, portraitid241711/repositories/2/archival_objects/352007217Scope and Contents

Son of Amanda Swem Stuart. James Stuart was born in 1865, became a doctor, and was a first cousin of Earl Gregg Swem.

Francis Leigh Swem, portraitid241712/repositories/2/archival_objects/352008217Scope and Contents

Francis Leigh Swem, 1884-1890. Brother of Earl Gregg Swem.

Reuben Luse, Emeline Luse Swem, Leota Swem, and Reddyn Luse, portraitid241713/repositories/2/archival_objects/352009217Scope and Contents

Four generations: Reuben Luse, his son Reddyn Luse, Reddyn's daughter Emeline Luse Swem, and her daughter, Leota Swem. Reuben Luse was the son of Mathias Luse; born circa 1790. He married Mary Lacock of the Virginia Family.

Photographs: Swem Familyid241097/repositories/2/archival_objects/351964circa 1890-1920s218Leota Swem, Earl Gregg Swem, and Amanda Hunter Niles, portraitid241715/repositories/2/archival_objects/352010218Scope and Contents

Leota Swem (left), Earl Gregg Swem (center), and Amanda Hunter Niles (right). Earl and Leota were the children of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Swem, grandparents of Theodor R. Swem, Sr. Amanda Hunter Niles was possibly cousin to Earl and Leota.

James Madison Swem, portraitid241716/repositories/2/archival_objects/352011218Scope and Contents

Brother of E. L. Swem.

A. Raymond Swem and Grace Luse, portraitid241718/repositories/2/archival_objects/352012218Scope and Contents

Cousins

Reddyn Luse, portraitid241721/repositories/2/archival_objects/352013218Scope and Contents

Reddyn Luse, son of Reuben Luse. Reddyn, father of Emeline Luse Swem, who was mother of A R. Swem, Leota Swem, and Earl Gregg Swem. Reuben Luse was the son of Mathias Luse.

A. Raymond Swem, portraitid241723/repositories/2/archival_objects/352014218Scope and Contents

Brother of Earl Gregg Swem

Emeline Luse Swem, portraitid241725/repositories/2/archival_objects/352015218Scope and Contents

Wife of E. L. Swem, and mother of Earl, Leota, and A. Raymond Swem

Asa Gregg and Catherine Drake Gregg, portraitid241732/repositories/2/archival_objects/352016218Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents Asa Gregg, 1806-1896, and his wife, Catherine Drake Gregg, 1812-1891. He was uncle to E. L. Swem. Asa Gregg settled in Iowa in 1837 near West Liberty. He married Catherine Drake, both from Quaker families. He was the author of "History of Wapsinonoc Township".

E. L. Swem in volunteer firefighter uniform, portraitid241734/repositories/2/archival_objects/352017218Scope and Contents

E. L. Swem, 1838-1918. Volunteer firefighter uniform, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Earl Gregg Swem and A. Raymond Swem, portraitid241736/repositories/2/archival_objects/352018circa 1890218Scope and Contents

Sons of Edward L. and Emeline Luse Swem.

A. Raymond, Leota, and Earl Gregg Swem, portraitid241738/repositories/2/archival_objects/352019circa 1890218Scope and Contents

Children of Edward L. and Emeline Swem.

Phebe Holloway Gregg Swem, Martha Swem Hunter Moore, granddaughter, and great-grandchildid241740/repositories/2/archival_objects/352020circa 1880218Scope and Contents

Phebe Holloway Gregg Swem, seated; her daughter Martha Swem Hunter Moore. Woman seated with baby is probably a granddaughter with a great-grandchild. Possibly showing four generations.

Martha Swem Hunterid241742/repositories/2/archival_objects/352021circa 1880s218Scope and Contents

Martha Swem Hunter, later Martha Swem Moore from around West Liberty, Iowa. Sister of E. L. Swem.

Photographs: Swem Familyid241098/repositories/2/archival_objects/351965circa 1890-1920s219Leigh Francis Swem and Herbert MacDonald, portraitid241399/repositories/2/archival_objects/352022219Scope and Contents

Leigh Francis Swem, age seven years and Herbert MacDonald, age six years; cousins. Both died of diptheria in March 1890.

Leigh Francis Swem, portraitid241748/repositories/2/archival_objects/352023219Scope and Contents

Son of Edward L. and Emeline Swem; brother of Earl, Leota, and A. Raymond Swem. Leigh died of Diptheria as a young boy in 1890.

A. Raymond Swem, portrait, circa 1888-89id241749/repositories/2/archival_objects/352024219Scope and Contents

Father of E. R. Swem and T. R. Swem

Amber Swem Taylor, portraitid241750/repositories/2/archival_objects/352025219Scope and Contents

Born 1875. Daughter of Uncle Eli Swem, brother of E. L. Swem.

Asa Swem, portraitid241752/repositories/2/archival_objects/352026219Scope and Contents

Uncle Asa Swem, father of Merton E. and Marguarita (Margaret?) Swem. Brother of E. L. Swem. Possibly a resident of Denver, Colorado.

Eli Swem, portraitid241754/repositories/2/archival_objects/352027219Scope and Contents

Brother of E. L. Swem.Eli Swem gave up banking to enter the Methodist Ministry. He ended up in a hardware business in Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Emeline Luse Swem surrounded by indoor plantsid241757/repositories/2/archival_objects/352028circa 1930s219Scope and Contents

Mrs. Emeline Luse Swem, 1843-1943. Wife of E.L. Swem and mother of Earl, Leota, and A. Raymond Swem; grandmother of Ted Swem. This photography appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette newspaper.

Maude, Phoebe, and Blanche Stuart, portraitid241759/repositories/2/archival_objects/352029circa 1888219Scope and Contents

Maude, age 15, (right), Phoebe, age 19, (center), and Blanche, age 13, (left). Daughters of Amanda Swem Stuart, sister of E. L. Swem.

E. L. Swem, Emeline Luse Swem, Leota Swem, and Dora Doud Swemid241761/repositories/2/archival_objects/352030circa 1815-1818219Scope and Contents

E. L. Swem with his wife Emeline Luse Swem, their daughter, Leota Swem, and daughter-in-law, Dora Doud Swem.

Edward L. Swem and Emeline Luse Swem with sled dogsid241763/repositories/2/archival_objects/352031219Scope and Contents

Emeline Luse Swem, (left) and E. L. Swem, (center) with unknown person, perhaps Elizabeth Luse, sister of Emeline Luse Swem.

Emeline Luse Swem and Ted Swemid241764/repositories/2/archival_objects/352032circa 1919219Scope and Contents

Ted Swem, nephew of Earl Gregg Swem, with his grandmother, Emeline Luse Swem, mother of Earl Gregg Swem.

Photographs: Swem Familyid241099/repositories/2/archival_objects/351966circa 1890-1920s220Amanda Swem Stuart and North Stuart, portraitid241765/repositories/2/archival_objects/352033220Scope and Contents

Amanda Swem Stuart and her son, North Stuart. Amanda Stuart was a sister of E. L. Swm, father of Earl Gregg Swem. Formerly of Iowa, she lived in Montana.

Emeline Luse Swem, Leota Swem, A. Raymond Swem, and familyid241766/repositories/2/archival_objects/352034circa 1890220Scope and Contents

Top row: Lily Gregg McDonald and Miss Hetherington, sister to Ed Hetherington. Middle Row: Leota Swem, A. Raymond Swem, and Emeline Luse Swem. Bottom row: Miss Sylvia Gregg, who married Harry McDonald, brother of Fred.

Phoebe Gregg Swem, portraitid241768/repositories/2/archival_objects/352035circa 1880s220Scope and Contents

Phoebe Gregg Swem, 1819-1887. Wife of E. R. Swem, mother of E. L. Swem, grandmother of Earl Gregg, A. Raymond, and Leota Swem.

Ezra B. Swem, portraitid241770/repositories/2/archival_objects/352036220Scope and Contents

Ezra B. Swem, born 1815, died 1870. Tombstone reads 1871. Father of E. L. Swem and grandfather of Earl Gregg Swem.

Ezra B. Swem, portraitid241771/repositories/2/archival_objects/352037220Scope and Contents

Ezra B Swem, born 1815, died 1870. Tombstone reads 1871. Father of E. L. Swem and grandfather of Earl Gregg Swem.

Photographs: Family Gravestones,id241100/repositories/2/archival_objects/3519671988 October11221Emeline Luse and Edward Lawrence Swem tombstoneid241772/repositories/2/archival_objects/3520381988 October 11221Scope and Contents