Life History

Notes

• Bennie Dean McSwain is the son of one of the original immigrants from North Carolina to Arkansas County, Arkansas.  His parents were Phillip K and Martha McSwain, both born in North Carolina, though t appears they did not marry till after the McSwains' arrival in Arkansas.  (The 1930 census errs for some reason in reporting Bennie's mother born in South Carolina, while his father was born in North Carolina.)
  
  He is listed in the 1900 census as Benjamin and as Ben in 1910.  But all other records refer to him as Bennie or Bennie D.  His granddaughter reports that his name was actually Bennie Dean, not Benjamin Dean as we would expect.  He went by Bennie all his life, and this is the name on his gravestone.  His middle name Dean was found in his WWI Draft Registration information.  His granddaughter confirmed it in correspondence several years later.
  
  "My parents were Bennie Dean McSwain Jr (not Benjamin) and Jennie Claire (Dudley) McSwain. ... My grandfather Bennie Dean McSwain (not Benjamin) - his birth certificate says he was an orphan.  My brother is Edward Dean McSwain."
  --  Jeanie McSwain Hardey, Geneanet Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 14 February 2017
  
  Note that Jeanie also says Bennie Dean his birth certificate reported that he was an orphan.  This would indicate that his parents adopted him.  But I also note that both his parents died when he was a young man.  His father died in when Bennie was about 21 and his mother died the next year.
  
  Phillip and all his brothers appear in the Giles County, Tennessee, in the 1870 census, and no wives are with them.  Since that census did not report marital status, it is not certain, but it appears they were all still single.
  
  In 1900 he is listed as Benjamin.  The 1900 census tells us he was born in Arkansas in June 1886.  This matches other sources for his date of death.
  
  1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 19 June, Prairie Township, District 7, page 13B, Hse #218, Fam #223
  McSwain, Phillip K Head W M  Jan 1847  53 Married 25 years  NC NC NC Farmer
  McSwain, Marth [sic] E   Wife W F Oct 1847 52  Married 25 years Housekeeping  NC NC NC
  McSwain, Joseph  Son W M  Nov 1879 20 AR NC NC Farm Laborer
  McSwain, Robert F  Son W M  Sept 1882 17 AR NC NC Farm Laborer
  ** McSwain, Benjamin  Son  W M  June 1886 13  AR NC NC Farm Laborer **
  McSwain, Lillie  Dau  W F Feb 1888  12 Single AR NC NC
  McSwain, Lee O  Dau  W F Mar 1891  9 Single AR NC NC
  
  In 1910 he is Ben.
  
  1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 22 April, Prairie Township, District 13, page 4A, Hse/Fam #58
  McSwain, Philip  Head  M W 69 Married 36 years NC  NC  NC Farmer
  McSwain, Martha  Wife  F W 67 Married 36 years NC  SC  NC
  McSwain, Lillie M  Dau  F W 22 Single AR NC NC
  ** McSwain, Ben  Son  M W  4 Single AR NC NC Dry Goods Salesman **
  McSwain, Leona E  Dau  F W 18 Single AR NC NC
  McSwain, Lester  Grandson  M W 11 Single AR NC NC
  
  Bennie was reported as 24 years old in the April 1910 census, but his birthday as reported from family and public sources is 23 June 1886.  So he had not yet had his 24th birthday.  I recall in this regard that the 1900 census had reported his birthday as February 1886, which would make him already 24 in April 1910.
  
  Bennie was still in Ethel, Arkansas (Prairie township) when he registered for the WWI Draft.  The registration took place in St Charles on 5 June 1917.  He is reported as married, but his wife's name is not given on the registration.  This card reports that he was born in Ethel, and now lives in Ethel, working as a Farmer on 3 acres of cotton.
  
  In the 1920 census, Bennie has married Nona Rownd, from a neighboring family in Prairie Township, Arkansas County.  They were living in Little Rock, then for the 1930 census they were reported in Memphis, Tennessee.
  
  1920 Federal Census, Pulaski County, Arkansas, 1 January, Big Rock Township, Little Rock Ward 4, District 129, page 11A, 1424 W Jones, Hse #218, Fam #233
  McSwain, Benny Head M W 33 AR NC NC Farmer, Own Farm
  McSwain, Nona Wife F W 29 AR KS AR
  McSwain, Benny D  Son M W 1yr 6mos  AR AR AR
  Round, Awamie [Owaimee]  Sister-in-Law F W 18 AR KS AR
  
  1930 Federal Census, Shelby County, Tennessee, 11 April, Civil District 4, Memphis, District 9, page 14B, 1395 Harvest St, Hse #178, Fam #199
  McSwain, Bennie D Head M W 43  Married at age 27 AR NC SC  Insurance Salesman
  McSwain, Nona Wife F W 40  Married at age 23 AR IL AR  Decorating Handkerchiefs
  McSwain, Benny D  Son M W 11  AR AR AR
  
  Note that the birth state of Bennie's mother is now South Carolina instead of North Carolina, and Nona's father is now reported to have been born in Illinois instead of Kansas.  In 1940 they are back in Little Rock.
  
  1940 Federal Census, Pulaski County, Arkansas, 2 April, Little Rock Ward 3B, District 60-34, page 1B, 1321 State St, Hse #24, Rents $20
  McSwain, Bennie D Sr Head M W 53 Grade 8 b Arkansas same house in 1935 Research Checker, Hwy Dept
  McSwain, Nona M Wife F W 50 Grade 8 b Arkansas same house in 1935
  McSwain, Bennie D Jr Son M W 21 Single Grade HS-4 b Arkansas same house in 1935 Checking Clerk, Delivery Service
  McSwain, Louise L Dau-in-Law W 20 Single Grade HS-4 b Arkansas Dallas, Texas, in 1935 Clerk, Stock room
  McSwain, Nancy D Granddau F W 9mos Grade 4 b Arkansas
  
  The full name is Benjamin, according to the census of 1900.  His sister-in-law Sue Rogers Rownd also says his full name was Benjamin.  He is reported as Ben in the 1910 census.  But his granddaughter reported his real name was Bennie.  His name  in the Social Security Death Index is simply Bennie, as is his son's.  His grave marker has the name Bennie D.
  
  U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  Little Rock, Arkansas, City Directory, 1937, p 397
  McSwain Bennie D (Nona M) supt State Hwy Dept h 1321 State
  McSwain Bennie D Jr del asst Pfeiffer Bros r 1321 State
  McSwain Cecil E (Frances) h 609 Palm
  McSwain Eliz r 1018 Scott
  
  Cecil and Elizabeth int eh above directory have not been identified.
  
  In 1942, he registerd for the WWII draft in Little Rock, reporting the same residence address as the 1940 census.  He signed his name as B D McSwain.
  
  U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
  Bennie Dean McSwain
  Residence 1321 State, Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas
  Age 55
  Birth 23 Jun 1886 Ethel, Arkansas
  Contact (Wife) Mrs Nona McSwain, 1321 State, Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas
  Employer WPA (Worken's Progress Association)
  District Office, 309 W 10th St, Liittle Rock, Arkansas
  5'11" 190 lbs, Blue Eyes, Black Hair, Dair Complexion
  Registered 27 April 1942 Little Rock, Arkansas
  Signed B D McSwain
  
  They were listed in the 1951 Little rock City Direcotry, as well as their son Bennie D Jr and his wife Jennie C Dudley.
  
  U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  Little Rock, Arkansas, City Directory, 1951, p 451
  McSwain Benj D (Jennie C) spl agt Int Rev h 2305 S Ringo
  McSwain Bennie D (Mary W) Slsmn slsmn Warehouse Package r 2305 S Ringo
  
  McSwain Bennie D (Mary W) slsmn Warehouse Package r 2305 S Ringo
  McSwain Betty J Mrs opr Tel Co r 1005 S Commerce
  McSwain Cecil E (Frances; McSwain Cecil E Co) 106 Commercial Warehouse h 804 Palm
  McSwain Cecil E Co (Cecil E McSwain) 106 Commercial Warehouse
  McSwain Chas M USAF r 804 Palm
  McSwain J B tchr PS r RD 4 Box 368 North Little Rock
  McSwain Oren E (Betty J) sta atndt Hal Spradley r 1114 W 20th North Little Rock
  
  Bennie D and Nona were listed in the 1951 Little Rock City direcotry.  In the 1953 directory, Nona was listed as Mary McSwain, widow of Bennie.
  
  U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  Little Rock, Arkansas, City Directory, 1953, p 338
  McSwain Bennie D (Jennie C) spl agt Dir Int Rev h 6909 W Markham
  McSwain Betty J Mrs clk TelCo r 1405 W 47th North Little Rock
  McSwain Brokerage Co C E McSwain mgr 300 Rector av R 107
  McSwain Cecil E (Frances) mgr McSwain Brokerage Co r Poland, Ark
  McSwain Cecil E Jr (Ann M) slsmn McSwain Brokerage Co r 804 Palm
  McSwain Mary (wid Bennie) h 419 E State av
  
  Yet a Social Security for a Bennie McSwain, with the same birth date and SSN issued in Arkansas is reported to have died in June 1969 in Los Angeles, California!
  
  U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  Enid, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1960, p 307
  Bennie D McSwain (Jennie C) acct VAFB h r 1710 N Monroe
  Bennie Jean C recpt Geo R Webber r 1710 N Monroe
  Bennie Mary W Mrs r 1710 N Monroe
  Bennie Myrtle B Mrs h 419 E State av
  
  In 1960 they had all moved to Enid, Oklahoma, and Nona was reported simply as Mrs Mary W McSwain.  The 1953 and 1960 directories were found only in April 2019, and introduce a mystery.  It had been thought they moved to California California some time after the 1951 directory.  His burial marlker in Ethel, Arkansas reports the year of death as 1969, matching his Social Security record.  Since Mary was reproted as a widow in 1953, and reported as Mrs Mary W McSwain with no husband in 1960, they must have divorced about 1952.  However, I have not heard or read any family referrence to a divorce.  No record has been found.
  
  U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  Bennie McSwain
  Born 23 Jun 1886
  Died Jun 1969
  Last Residence Los Angeles, 90017, Los Angeles, California
  SSN 432-18-2108 issued Arkansas - Before 1951
  
  I established a memorial for Bennie on Find a Grave.
  
  Gravestone of Bennie Dean McSwain
  Bennie D McSwain  1886-1969
  Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas
  Photo by Edith McSwain Jenkins 27 June 2003
  
  ----------------------
  Bennie Dean “Bennie D” McSwain
  Birth 23 Jun 1886 Ethel, Arkansas County, Arkansas, USA
  Death 20 Jun 1969 (aged 82) Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
  Burial Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  
  Bennie Dean McSwain Sr, of Ethel, Arkansas, was the son of Phillip K McSwain and Martha Elizabeth Padgett, originally from North Carolina, settlers in the White River area of Arkansas called Ethel before the 1880 census. He was called Bennie D. His granddaughter says his name was just Bennie, not Benjamin, as some records have, and as Bennie D's sister-in-law reports.
  
  He married Mary Winona Rownd of the Ethel community, who went by the nickname Nona. They moved to Little Rock some time before 1937, when they were reported in the city directory. Their son Bennie Dean Jr, unmarried at that time, was also reported.
  
  Bennie Dean registered for WWII in Little Rock and he and Nona were again reported in the 1951 Little Rock City Directory, with Bennie Jr and his wife Jennie (Dudley). Then in 1953, Bennie Dean Sr was no longer listed and Nona was reported as the widow of Bennie D.
  
  But Bennie d had not died. He moved to California, where he died in 1969. He and Nona must have divorced, though no record has been found. Perhaps they just separated about 1952 and just never formalized it legally. In 1960, Winona, as well as her son Bennie Dean and his wife Jennie (Dudley), were reported in the Enid, Oklahoma, directory, and they later moved to Aurora, Colorado, where all three died.
  
  Bennie Dean Sr and Nona are buried in the Mt Pleasant Cemetery in their home community of Ethel, Arkansas. Bennie Dean's gravestone is very simple, having only his name and the years of birth and death.
  
  Spouse Mary Winona Rownd McSwain 1890-1979
  
  Created by: Orville Jenkins 16 Apr 2019
  --  Find A Grave Memorial 198390314, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198390314/bennie-dean-mcswain
  ----------------------
  

Sources

• 1. 1920 Federal Census, Pulaski County, Arkansas
  • 1 January, Big Rock Township, Little Rock Ward 4, District 129, page 11A, 1424 W Jones, Hse #218, Fam #233
• 2. Bobby Butler, McSwain family notes on census, compiled 1995
• 3. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
• 4. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
• 5. 1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 19 June, Prairie Township, District 7, page 13B, Hse #218, Fam #223
• 6. 1940 Federal Census, Pulaski County, Arkansas
  • 2 April, Little Rock Ward 3B, District 60-34, page 1B, 1321 State St, Hse #24, Rents $20
• 7. Geneanet Messaging
• 8. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
• 9. Gravestones of Mt Pleasant Cemetery
• 10. 1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 22 April, Prairie Township, District 13, page 4A, Hse/Fam #58
• 11. 1930 Federal Census, Shelby County, Tennessee
  • 11 April, Civil District 4, Memphis, District 9, page 14B, 1395 Harvest St, Hse #178, Fam #199
• 12. California Death Index, 1940-1997
• 13. Bobby Butler, McSwain family notes on census, compiled 1995
  • Censuses 1900 (age 13), 1910 (age 23) -- age would seem to require a birth year of 1887
• 14. Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957
• 15. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  • Little Rock, Arkansas, City Directory, 1951, p 451
• 16. Sue Rogers Rownd
• 17. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  • Little Rock, Arkansas, City Directory, 1937, p 397
• 18. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
  • Little Rock, Arkansas, City Directory, 1953, p 338
• 19. Social Security Death Index
• 20. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
• 21. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
• 22. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
• 23. SSDI Broderbund Archive #110, Vol. 2, Ed. 6