(1929-1934) 

  Pearl Irene Heath was born on 29 Jun 1883 in Medford, MN to James and Flora Heath. She was the middle child of six siblings. In 1900, at the tender age of 16, she left her family to work as a maid for the Pachett family in Owatonna, MN. Owatonna was about 65 miles south of Minneapolis where her future husband, Fred Swanson lived and worked as a common laborer. They married on 7 Sep 1904. 

The Swansons moved to Salem in 1909 where Fred got a job with the local power company and Pearl started work as a sewer at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Fred worked his way up to journeyman electrician and stayed 30 years with the company that became Portland General Electric. Fred’s salary was sufficient to support the couple so; Pearl left TKWM by 1931, after more than 20 years with the mill. The couple lived at 560 N 12th St in Salem. 

Pearl and Fred lived the rest of their lives in Salem and were socially active in the community. They had no children and Pearl returned to school to complete 2 years of college. Fred worked until just a few years before his death on 28 Nov 1941. Pearl lived another 10 years, and died on 20 Jul 1950 at her home on 12th St. She was 67 years old. Fred and Pearl are buried next to each other at City View Cemetery in Salem.  

1900 Pearl Heath. Born Jun 1883 in Minnesota. Owatonna, MN. (65 mi S of Minneapolis). Servant. Can read/write and speak English. Edgar A Pachett 22, Gertrude Pachett 21, Ethel M Pachett 6 mos, Pearl Heath 16. 

 Fred Swanson. Born Jul 1878 in Minneapolis, MN. 8th Ave, Minneapolis, MN. Boarder, Laborer. Single. Father’s birthplace Sweden, mother’s Ireland.  

1910 Pearl I Swanson. Born about 1885 in Minnesota. Sewer, Woolen Mill. Waller St, Salem, OR. Wife of HOH. Years Married 5. Father’s birthplace: New York, Mother’s birthplace: Minnesota. Fred Swanson 32 (Engineer), Pearl I Swanson 25.  

1920 Pearl I Swanson. Born about 1884 in Minnesota. No Occupation. 12th St, Salem, OR. Wife of HOH. Father’s birthplace: Maine, Mother’s birthplace: Wisconsin. Fred Swanson 41 (Electrician, Power Co), Pearl I Swanson 36.  

1930 Pearl I Swanson. Born about 1884 in Minnesota. No Occupation. Married to HOH. 560 N 12th, Salem, OR. Father’s birthplace: Maine, Mother’s birthplace: Wisconsin. Fred Swanson 52 (Electrical Eng, PNPSC), Pearl I Swanson 46. 

1940 Pearl I Swanson. Born about 1883 in Indiana. No Occupation. Married to HOH. 560 N 12th, Salem, OR. 2 Years College. Fred Swanson 61 (Electrical Eng, Light & Power), Pearl I Swanson 57. 

1913 Mrs Pearl Swanson (Fred L, Opr P R L & P) 560 N 12th St. No Occupation 

1915 Mrs Pearl Swanson (Fred L, Electrician) 560 N 12th St. No Occupation 

1917 Mrs Pearl Swanson (Fred L, Eng P R L & P) 560 N 12th St. No Occupation 

1924 Mrs Pearl Swanson (Fred L, Eng P R L & P) 560 N 12th St. Empl TKWM. 

1930 Mrs Pearl I Swanson (Fred L). 360 N 12th St, Salem, OR. Sewer TKWM.  

1934 Pearl I Swanson (Fred L, Mechanic). No Occupation. 560 N 12th St, Salem, OR 

1937 Pearl I Swanson (Fred L, Utilityman PGECo). No Occupation. 560 N 12th St, Salem, OR 

1941 Pearl I Swanson (Fred L, Electrician). No Occupation. 560 N 12th St, Salem, OR 

1947 Pearl I Swanson (wid Fred L). No Occupation. 560 N 12th St, Salem, OR 

1949 Pearl I Swanson (wid Fred L). No Occupation. 560 N 12th St, Salem, OR 

Fred Swanson  Birth: 1878. Death: 1941. Burial: City View Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, OR. Memorial ID: 53925763 

Oregon Statesman 29 Nov 1941 p 2  Death Takes PGE Employee 

Oregon Statesman 1 Aug 1950 p 7   Services for Mrs. Swanson Slated Today 

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