William Fred Switzer

I’m doing what I hope is the final edit of the draft of Henry’s Children, the Tapscotts of the Wabash Valley, and I’ve run into a bit of mystery for a great grandson of Henry Tapscott, the Traveler. Perhaps someone out there can help.

Born “William Fred” (or possibly “William Frederick”) Sweitzer on 4 May 1906 in Marshall, Illinois, to Edward Clinton and Mary Catharine (Hartzler) Sweitzer, the great grandson went almost solely by “Fred Switzer.” Fred was married twice, or at least cohabited twice, but we only know the first names of his companions and know nothing of the marriages. We don’t even know when or where he died. (If he is not deceased, he would be 114 years old today!)

Fred is found in neither the 1930 nor 1940 federal census, but does appear in eleven Danville city directories from 1924/1925 to 1945, including the 1930 and 1940 directories. Only the 1924/1925 directory lists his name as “Sweitzer.” In the others he is listed as “Fred Switzer,” “Fred W. Switzer,” or “W. Fred Switzer.” In Danville Fred worked primarily as a salesman and/or driver for dairy companies, Illiana and Bredehoft. He was what was called in the day, a “Milkman.” Remember them?

Starting in 1929, he appears with a spouse, Anna or Anna M., but no minor children. Then, in 1940 his WWII draft registration gives his contact as “Mrs. Anna Marie Switzer,” “Ex Wife.” Anna appears living by herself in the 1943, 1944, and 1945 directories (with a name change to “Ann” in the latter two) and then disappears, never to be seen again. Fred is found in the 1945 directory with a new companion, Emma, and a new job, awning worker, then he and Emma, like Anna, also disappear.

And that’s the story of Fred. What became of him? Or Anna? Or Emma?

It’s surprising that in the 20^th century a person can disappear completely.Our problem really stems from the fact, as far as we know, Fred and his five siblings had, at most, a single child among them, and that child was probably illegitimate. Thus, there was only a single descendant, if that, to carry on the history of the Edward Clinton and Mary Catharine (Hartzler) Sweitzer family, or to even give a damn.

Anyone out there know what became of Fred? How about his five siblings Ernest C., Alice G., Walter Everett, Edward Clinton Jr., or Robert C. Sweitzer/Switzer (they went by both names)? We don’t know much more about them than we do Fred.