A new Indiana historical marker has been added in Wells County at the Old Ossian Cemetery to honor Lt. Col. William Swaim. The soldier and his family had a farm north of Ossian at the time he and his son, James, enlisted to fight for the Union during the Civil War. He led Company A of the 34th Regiment and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
The state historical marker is only the third that is in Wells County.
Swaim ultimately succumbed to his injuries from the Battle of Champion Hill in 1863 as he was traveling home to Ossian. While he was originally buried at the Old Ossian Cemetery, ( 305 W. Young Street) he was later moved to the Oak Lawn Cemetery (701 S. Jefferson Street) in Ossian.
Casey Pfeiffer, Director of the Indiana Historical Marker program, spoke at a program Saturday, May 16, 2026. She shared that preserved letters from Swaim show his pride to risk everything for the cause to abolish “that monster slavery,” he wrote. The Historical marker is only the third in Wells County.
Almost a dozen of Swaim’s descendants were present for the event which included several individuals from Wells county, North Carolina, Kentucky and Texas.
The program also included Richard Blanton Portraying Swaim to share a biography. Megan and Jayson Poepple led attendees in singing “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” Thank you to Larry Heckber who applied for the marker and organized the program.
The photo shows some of the family and friends that gathered for the event at the Old Ossian Cemetery.
Learn more about Lt. Col. Swaim and the Civil War at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ghPZXC2Pao
Thank to the Bluffton News-Banner for the information that was shared in this post. Thank also to the Old Ossian Cemetery Restoration Project for the photos and information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4403792876393762
Wells County Historical Society and Museum 
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