Roland Davis Swoope, Jr.,is the editor of the “Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens” used extensively as a source within this family history database.

He was born in Curwensville, Pa., on June 4, 1885, and is the second son of Roland D. Swoope, Esq., and Cora Arnold Swoope, and a grandson of the late Hon. Henry Bucher Swoope, widely known in his life time, as a brilliant orator, noted lawyer and as the founder and first editor of the "Raftsman's Journal," of Clearfield, Pa., and of the "Pittsburg Evening Telegraph," and who at the time of his death, in 1874, was United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Roland D. Swoope, Jr., was educated at the public schools of his native town and at Mercersburg Academy,* at Mercersburg, Franklin county, Pa. After leaving school, he entered his father's law office where he remained until October, 1905, when he became editor of the Curwensville "Mountaineer," a Republican newspaper, in which his father was interested as one of the founders. As will be noted by the foregoing, the subject of our sketch inherited his fondness for journalism and "The Mountaineer" under his editorship has become the leading Republican newspaper of Clearfield county and is recognized as a powerful factor in every political campaign.

Mr. Swoope, like his ancestors, developed a strong likeness for politics and has taken an active part therein. Ever since attaining his majority, he has served as a member of the Republican Vigilance Committee of his election district. For several years, he has been secretary of the Republican Committee of Clearfield county. In April, 1908, he was elected as one of the five delegates to represent Clearfield county in the Republican State Convention, receiving 3,814 votes, the largest vote polled for any candidate.

He has also represented the Republicans of his senatorial district at a meeting of the Republican State Committee and was appointed assistant sergeant at arms of the Republican National Convention which met in Chicago in 1908.

Mr. Swoope is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Curwensville, Pa.; is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, the most famous Republican Club in the United States, is also a member of Bethesda Lodge, No. 821, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served the lodge as Noble Grand.

Mr. Swoope takes an active interest in all public affairs, and both personally and as editor of "The Mountaineer," he stands for the best interests of the people of the community, State and Nation.
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Numerous notable figures and families from the town’s earlier days are here [at Oak Hill Cemetery in Curwensville, PA]. In fact, Roland Swope [sic] Jr., author of the ”Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County” rests in the Swope [sic] family plot, which is marked by one of the tallest monuments on the grounds.1892
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*Mercersburg Academy’s history dates back to 1836. Among it’s notable alumni are seven Rhodes scholars, Olympic Gold Medalists, four recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, politicians and one Nobel Laureate. Both Academy Award winning actor’s Jimmy Stewart (1928) and Benicio Del Toro (1985) attended the Academy. James Buchanan, the only Pennsylvanian to be elected President of the United States, was born in a log cabin in the village of Cove Gap near Mercersburg and grew up in the town. His log cabin still stands today on the Mercersburg Academy campus near the athletics building.1893