Swope, Pierce Edward (1884-1968)

Pierce Edward Swope, son of Jeremiah G. and Mary Jane Swope, was born in Meckville, Berks County, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1884. After attending school in northern Lebanon County, he entered the teaching profession. While teaching, Dr. Swope attended Lebanon Valley and Ursinus Colleges. In 1906 he was granted a Teacher's Certificate. Dr. Swope attended Central Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, graduating on April 28, 1910. He was licensed by Miami Classis of Ohio Synod, May 11, 1910 and ordained July 31, 1910. Pastorates included: Grindstone Hill Charge, Franklin County (1910-1913); Emmanual Reformed Church, Lansford (1913-1922); St. Stephen's Church, Lebanon (1922-1953). He retired from the active pastorate in 1953, but served as a supply pastor to several churches. He received a Degree of Doctor of Divinity from Ursinus College February 15, 1940. He was elected President of Lancaster Synod for a term of two years on April 25, 1941.l He taught Pennsylvania German at Hershey (1948-1951); was religious editor of the "Lebanon Daily News" (1952-1957); and began writing weekly articles in the Pennsylvania German dialect for the newspaper in 1948. His column "Was Saagt Der...Kaspar Hufnagel?" was published twice weekly in the "Lebanon Daily News." Kaspar Hufnagel was Dr. Swope's pen-name for this paper. He also wrote for the "Ephrata Ensign." Dr. Swope was the oldest Pennsylvania Dutch columnist and was an active writer at age 84. He was a renowned lecturer on subjects relating to our PA. Dutch heritage. The PA. Dutch days, an annual Folk Festival at Hershey, was started as a reunion of Dr. Swope's classes of PA. Dutch dialect. He was also active in the Pennsylvania German Historical and Folklore Societies. On January 6, 1906, he was united in marriage to Carrie M. Hauer. They had one son, who passed away at age 15. Pierce Swope died at the age of 84, December 9, 1968 at the Lebanon Valley UCC Home, Annville, PA.