Henry (Henrich) was first married to Mary Ann (Anna Maria) Haffner (Heffner) Aug. 31, 1821. The couple were baptised as adults on Aug. 30, 1822. The names listed on their baptismal entries at the Salem Lutheran and Reformed Church, Seawright Springs, Augusta Co. VA. were Henrich and Anna Maria Schweitzer. Their children were listed various places as Swisher.

  Children (1st Marriage)

Johannes (John Henry / Heffner) b. June 1, 1822,  Daniel b. Jan.22, 1824,  Jacob Henry b. Nov.26, 1826,  Andreas (Andrew) b. Oct. 13, 1828, Sara Margaret b.June 27, 1830, Anna Frances b.Nov.6,1831

Mary Ann died Oct. 1, 1838, and Henry married Diannah Fry on Feb. 19, 1842. She was the daughter of Simeon and Mary Smith Fry and was born Aug.15, 1825.

Children (2nd Marriage)

Samuel Henry b. Feb. 22, 1843, Mary A. b.abt.1845, Benjamin Bowman Feb. 7, 1847,  William Harvey Aug. 30,1849, Elizabeth b. abt. 1852, Cynthia Annice b.Jan. 14, 1856, Abraham Lincoln b. June 7, 1857.

Henry's House at Midland Va.                                      Dianna Switzer Miller

Henry Switzer was listed as a laborer in the 1850 census for Augusta Co. VA, and is reported to have worked for a slave holder. Henry was living in Rockingham Co. in 1860, when his kitchen and household furniture were considered to be worth only $5.00.  

 Henry Switzer was shot during the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, that took place at the Little Dunkard Churchyard, very close to the Switzer homestead.  According to the family account, Henry was sitting on a rocking chair on his front porch when a stray shot killed him on Sept. 10, 1862.  

At the time of Henry's death, his son Samuel Henry was away fighting in the Civil War. His son John H. and other sons also fought in the war

Henry's eldest son, John Heffner (Henry) scooped up mini balls and hollow conical bullets from the Battle of Bull Run that were said to have littered the ground and fields around their home in Virginia,  and brought those along to Illinois when he migrated here.  The author's grandmother explained the significance of the lead projectiles, the information being passed on from her father, and my sisters and I all have some of these relics in our possession.

Henry's widow, Diannah was ordered to evacuate the area because of the fighting there. We don't know how long after the killing of Henry she left, but since Benjamin stayed on at their cabin, it is possible that he was left to take care of the burial of his father. At any rate she soon left VA, with her children (excepting the two eldest), and her sister Kate Fry.  They left on foot, taking only what they could carry. Along the way, they would stop where soldiers had camped and eat scraps of food that could be found. Townspeople took pity on them and collected enough money to pay their train fare to Dayton, Ohio, where relatives lived.  They left for Illinois sometime later, with all of them walking, except for the baby Abe, who rode in an oxcart with wheels from a cultivator. They arrived in Bond Co. Illinois,  staying there long enough that most of Henry and Dianna's children found mates there.  Dianna married Jonathan Miller in 1869, and they moved to Bates Co. Missouri. Eventually all of Dianna's children moved to this area, except Benjamin.  Dianna Fry Switzer Miller died June 17, 1901 and was buried at Two Mile Cemetery near Thayer, Mo.

When living in Bates Co. Missouri, Henry's second wife Diannah filed for a widow's pension based on Henry's military service.  Henry had enlisted for the War of 1812, at Stauton, Virginia in July of 1813 and received an honorable discharge a year later. He was a private in the Virginia Militia commanded by Capt. Thomas Bryne. Virginia Regiment. Diannah stated on her application that at the time of his enlistment, Henry was "about 20 years of age, a farmer, 5 feet 10 inches height, Blue Eyes, Dark hair". Certified statements were received from Susan J Ritche and Mary E. Huddle, who still lived in Rockingham Co. to support Diannah's right to a widow's pension.