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A pioneer automobile dealer
at Pratt, Kansas, Fred Frank Swinson has headed his own agency there for
over forty years. He has been a leader in community organizations, including
the Chamber of Commerce.
He was born at Fowler, in Benton County, Indiana, on
August 23, 1880, son of Nelson and Jennie Ledou Swinson. His father was a
native of Sweden. In Fred F. Swinson's early years the family moved to
Pratt County, and he attended the public schools there, graduating from
Bares High School. From 1895 to 1913, Mr. Swinson engaged in farming, and
on April 1, 1913, he founded his automobile sales agency. This he has
operated since, having the franchise for the sale of Buick cars till 1929,
then Ehevrolet and Oldsmobile and in 1949 also the Cadillac. His offices,
salesroom and service facilities are at 101-109 South Main Street, Pratt.
Mr. Swinson was absent from his business part-time in 1944-1945, when he
flew the United States Mail in Kansas. He was a captain in the Civil Air
Patrol from 1944 to 1947. Aviation has long been one of his hobbies.
Active in the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Swinson served
as its president for two years. He was president of the Park Hills County
Club in 1950 and again in 1952, and he remains a member of the club's board
of directors. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club, and a member of
the lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Free and
Accepted Masons. In the Masonic order he holds the Thirty-second degree,
and is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
He and his family attend the First Methodist Church.
At Sawyer, Kansas, on April 6, 1906, Fred Frank Swinson
married Laura E. Roots, daughter of Sam and Phoebe Peatrce Roots. Mr. and
Mrs. Swinson, who made their home at 306 North Ninnescah Street, are the
parents of three children: 1. Earl Connie, born on August 20, 1907. 2.
Pearl Lorena, born on February 3, 1911. 3. Vernon Nelson, born on February
11, 1913.
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