John Heffner (Henry) Switzer

John Heffner Switzer was born in Augusta Co. VA, the 1st child of Henry and Mary Ann (Anna Maria) Haffner Schweitzer. He married Rebecca Katherine Lambert on Dec. 17, 1839. Both are buried in the Dunkard Church Cemetery at Panther Creek, NorthEast of Roanoke, IL. John fought in the civil war, driving a supply wagon. Their house was about 5 miles from the Battle of Bull Run, and the sounds of battle carried across the fields to their ears. They left Virginia coming to Woodford Co. IL by train about 1872 when John Will was 16 years of age.

All of John Henry's children were born near Stauton, VA. His father, Henry died in 1862, shot during the Battle of Bull Run while in a rocking chair on his front porch. Henry's house was less than a mile away from the battlefield that centered around the old Dunkard Church. His stepmother, Dianna Fry Switzer took her children and fled the area, but John Henry stayed in the Stauton area for about 10 more years before migrating with his family to IL. Dianna Had settled for a while in Bond Co, in S. Illinois, later moving to Bates Co., Mo.

Mary Catherine Switzer (Croushorn) b. Mar. 10,1842, Samuel Henry II b. Mar.3, 1844, Jacob Daniel b. Aug. 9, 1846, Sarah Frances III b.Jan.6,1844, James Grandville b.Apr.16,1851, Elizabeth Jane b. Jan. 11, 1854, John Will b. Apr.7,1856, Emma A. b.1859, Abram A. b.Oct.1, 1861, Nancy Ellen b. July 22, 1864.

Memorium to James Grandville Switzer, John Will's Brother