Colonel John M. Swan papers, 1922-1942

Summary

Abstract:
This collection consists of the papers of Dr. John M. Swan of Rochester, New York, a leader of the Medical Officers' Reserve and founder of Base Hospital 19 during the First World War. The materials date between 1922 and 1941. The records include letters, reports, memoranda, photographs and other materials.
Extent:
0.43 Cubic Feet One legal-size letter box. and .434 Cubic Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Dr. John M. Swan Papers. [box #,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of records of the activities of Colonel John M. Swan as a leader of Rochester, New York's Medical Officers' Reserve unit between the two World Wars. Swan was the former organizer of Base Hospital 19 during the First World War, and worked to maintain the medical reserves during the post-war period. This collection includes letters, reports, memoranda and other materials.

Biographical / historical:

John Mumford Swan was born in 1870 and graduated from college in 1893. He set up practice in Rochester, and became a frequent speaker on public health issues. In September of 1915, Swan met the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, William Gorgas, at an American Public Health Association conference in Rochester, where Gorgas asked him to form a reserve base hospital in Rochester. This unit became Base Hospital 19, and Swan served as its commander. After the First World War, Swan returned to civiian life, ultimately becoming director of the YMCA's Department of Physical Education in the 1920s, along with working on other public health initiatives. Swan also retained a keen interest in U.S. Army medical reserve service, being asked to recruit a new unit, General Hospital 82, from the Twelfth Army Corps area (New York, New Jersey and Delaware) in 1924. Swan would remain involved with this unit, along with other Army recruiting and funding intiatives, throughout the 1920s and 1930s. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Lions Club, eventually serving as President of the latter organization in the 1930s. John M. Swan was married to Sarah Raymond Swan, with whom he lived at 457 Park Avenue and attended the First Presbyterian Church. He passed away on November 22, 1949, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated to the Rochester Public Library by Dr. Swan in 1946.
Arrangement:

This collection consists of a single box.

Physical description:
Variable, mostly good but some documents are brittle.
Dimensions:
15 x 10 x 5
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

Dr. John M. Swan Papers. [box #,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org