Volney E. Swain, born in Washington County, Indiana 19 May 1827. He was in the Mexican War, enlisting at the age of 19. He was in Company H, 2nd Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. Volney was also one of the early school teachers of Illinois.

His father was Elijah Swain, also a school teacher. 3 Aug. 1848 Volney married Alice Dover. They were married in Indiana Soon after he and his wife moved to Louisiana from there to Illinois in 1850. Alice was born 17 Jan 1830. Volney was 21 and Alice was 18 when this marriage took place. They had four children,.

1. Leon Dover,
2. Sarah Jane,
3. Harriet
4. Isabella and
5. Alonzo Clinton.

Volney's wife Alice died May 21, 1855. She was only 25. Two of their children Sarah Jane and Alonzo Clinton died in 1855. Sarah Jane was almost 4 and Alonzo was 6 months. Possibility of cholera causing their death.

He remarried Nov, 20, 1855 Martha Jane Hayden. She was born Nov. 13, 1838. Volney and Martha were married in Marion Co. IL. They had 11 children. Eight sons and three daughters. Four of those children names not known. The others names are Perry, Charles, Flora, Oliver, Levina, Amanda and Lillie. Volney made his will June 21, 1893 in Marion, IL. He was 66 years of age then. He received a pension from serving in the Mexican War. He lived until he was 72. He died July 8, 1899. His death was caused by a gun-shot wound in neck and shoulder he received in the Mexican War. For 52 years he suffered with it.

Martha died in 1917. She was 79 years old. Volney is buried beside his wives in Antioch Cemetery in Dix, Illinois.

Source: USGenWeb Archives Submitted by Jerry Scott

Source: Facts and Folks of Jefferson County, Illinois Page 72
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer