Silas C. Swallow

Namesake

He was presumably named after Methodist preacher Silas Comfort (1808 - 1868), a courageous anti-slavery member of the Genesee, Oneida and Missouri Conferences. While serving in Saint Louis, Missouri, Comfort admitted as evidence in a church trial the testimony of a Negro. A practice which was forbidden in public trials in Missouri at the time. He was censured by his Conference, but that censure was overturned by the 1840 General Conference. The General Conference then bowed to Southern pressure and passed a resolution prohibiting the testimony of Negroes in church trials within states that forbade such testimony in public trials. That resolution was rescinded in 1844.

Early activities

Silas Comfort Swallow was born of staunch Methodist parents. His father was a trustee of the Wyoming Seminary. Before entering the ministry Silas was employed as a school teacher and later studied law. He served as a lieutenant during the American Civil War.

He entered the Baltimore Conference in 1863 and became a charter member of the Central Pennsylvania Conference upon its organization in 1869. He was reportedly an eloquent and forceful preacher and revivalist. He was eminently successful as a church builder, presiding elder, and editor of The Central Pennsylvania Methodist. In the latter position Swallow vigorously attacked alcohol, spiritual indifference, and corruption in state government. His enemies led a campaign to have him prosecuted and convicted of slander, which verdict was later reversed by the State Superior Court.

Church service

Dr. Swallow’s official conference service record lists the following appointments:

• 1863-1864 Milton circuit.
• 1864-1866 Berwick.
• 1866-1868 Catawissa.
• 1868-1871 Newberry.
• 1871-1873 Williamsport Third Street.
• 1873-1875 Milton.
• 1875-1877 Altoona Eighth Avenue.
• 1877-1881 presiding elder, Altoona District.
• 1881-1884 York First.
• 1884-1886 Williamsport Grace.
• 1886-1887 agent, Dickinson College.
• 1887-1892 Harrisburg Ridge Avenue.
• 1892-1902 superintendent, Harrisburg Methodist book room.
• 1902-1908 no appointment, by request.
• 1908-1930 retired.
  

  Political career

He was also Party candidate for the position of President of the United States in 1904 election. Election was won by Incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt of the Republican Party.

Swallow was also surpassed by two other unsuccesful presidential candidates:

• Alton Brooks Parker of the Democratic Party.
• Eugene Victor Debs of the Socialist Party of America.
  

  Autobiography

This proved to be so successful that he came out with periodic updates as follows:

• Toasts and Roasts of III Score and X, 1911.
• Then and Now – Some Reminiscences of an Octogenarian, 1919.
• IV Score and More, 1922.
  

  Other writings