James Hobart Swart

The following profile was researched and compiled by Candice L. Buchanan and Glenn J. R. T. Toothman III, for RainDayBoys.com.

Birth: 11 December 1896 Richhill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Parents: James H. Swart and Nancy Scott

Residence at time of enlistment: Richhill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Physical description: 5 feet 9 and 3/4 inches tall, florid complexion, gray eyes, brown hair

Death: Killed in action 28 September 1918 Varennes-en-Argonne, Lorraine, France

Age at death: 21 years old

Last resting place: Enon Baptist Church Cemetery, Richhill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Military rank: Serial No. 1241562. Corporal. Company K, 110th Infantry, 28th Division.

Witness account of death: Statement given by Sgt. James L. Meighen. "I was with James [H.] Swart when he was hit by rifle fire, Sept. 28th 1918. He was killed on the hill beyond Varennes. He was hit through the spinal cord and died instantly. He was sent out to flank a machine gun nest and was order[ed] back to get grenades and was hit while he was returning."

Additional information:

James grew up on a farm very near the Greene and Washington County borders. His family is often identified with the West Finley community of Washington County, but Census and courthouse records, among others, link them to residency in Greene County. James and his brother Harley both joined Company K in Waynesburg.

SOURCES:

  • "Greene County Soldiers Buried with Full Military Honors" article, Waynesburg Republican, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, 22 September 1921.
  • Infant Swart entry, Greene County Births, 1: 169, line no. 32, Office of the Orphans' Court, Greene County Courthouse, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.
  • "PA National Guard Veterans' Card File, 1867-1921," digital images, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Pennsylvania State Archives Records Information Access System (www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp: viewed 14 July 2018), James H. Swart, Private, Co K, 10th Inf., P. N. G.; citing series #19.135.
  • "United States, Army Transport Service Passenger Lists 1910-1939," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61174 : accessed 14 July 2018), James H. Swart entry, line 50, page 31 (stamped), Ausonia, box 373; citing Lists of Outgoing Passengers, 1917-1938. Textual records. 255 Boxes. NAI: 6234477. Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985. Record Group Number 92. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
  • "WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60884 : accessed 14 July 2018), Nancy Scott Swart, mother of James Hobart Swart - application no. 287078; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948 (RG 19, Series 19.91), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.