Woman who really 'lived Elgin's history' dies at 98

Rowena Swan could tell you a thing or two about Elgin.

When the Elgin native would make presentations at the local historical society, she frequently would exceed the one-hour time limit.

Mrs. Swan had a wealth of stories to tell, a command of her subject and a passion to share it.

"It always bothered her that we had a time limit, because she wanted to talk more. She would have talked for hours," recalled Carl Flaks, past president of the Elgin Area Historical Society and its current membership chairman.

"She was a remarkable lady who had many, many interests, who was well-versed on many subjects and she's left us with a wealth of information," Flaks said.

Mrs. Swan died Feb. 29 at the age of 98.

She was born in Elgin in 1909, was graduated from Elgin High School and attended Iowa State University. She married Dana Swan, another Elginite, in 1933, and they moved to California.

Mrs. Swan, her husband and their son, Chandler, returned to Elgin in 1955.

Over the years, she gave her time and energy to a buffet of causes, starting with the California school district her son attended.

After Dana died, Mrs. Swan donated a special set of organ pipes to First Congregational Church in Elgin in his memory.

She compiled genealogy books and was a huge supporter of the historical society and the arts. She was a collector of Native American art.

Volunteerism was an integral part of her life, said Sara Ellen Anderson, docent for the Elgin Area Historical Society.

"That was a part of Ro as a person. She was always so giving," Anderson said. "She loved Elgin. She really lived Elgin's history."

The organizations that Mrs. Swan assisted were all volunteer based and very near to her heart.

"They all dealt with a subject matter she was interested in. It was natural for her," said Flaks, who first met Mrs. Swan at church some 30 years ago.

Mrs. Swan also wrote a book recalling growing up in Elgin in the early 1900s.

She covered topics like movie theaters and the 1920 tornado. One of her favorite memories was of taking loose pieces of ice from a passing ice wagon.

But Mrs. Swan also put it into perspective.

"We had so much imagination in those days, which I feel is sadly missing in today's children," read part of "I Was Named Rowena."

"Does anyone lay on the grass and gaze up at the sky, making various pictures from the fleecy clouds as they drift by? I know there are too many distractions in our hectic world. My childhood was so different from that of my grandsons, but I do believe it was more interesting. We didn't have the stress. We did a lot of dreaming and were more carefree."

Visitation for Mrs. Swan will be held at the same time as her memorial service, at 1 p.m. March 15 at the First Congregational Church, 256 Chicago St., Elgin. Burial will be private.