Swafford Family Genealogy & History

Hudson Swafford, born on September 9, 1987, in Tallahassee, Florida, is a prominent American professional golfer known for his successful career on the PGA Tour before joining LIV Golf in June 2022. Swafford's notable achievements include three PGA Tour victories, with wins at the CareerBuilder Challenge in 2017, the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in 2020, and The American Express in 2022. He is also recognized for his victory at the Stadion Classic at UGA on the Nationwide Tour in 2012. Despite facing challenges like a rib injury and foot surgery, Swafford has demonstrated resilience and skill in his professional journey.

Hudson Swafford is the son of David and Jean Swafford. He completed his education at Maclay School in Tallahassee and later graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Consumer Economics. He is married to Katherine Wainwright Brandon, adding to his supportive family background.

Jan Swafford, born on September 10, 1946, is a distinguished American author and composer renowned for his contributions to musical literature and composition. A Harvard College magna cum laude graduate, Swafford furthered his education at the Yale School of Music. His notable biographies of Charles Ives, Johannes Brahms, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have been critically acclaimed, with his Beethoven biography reaching the New York Times bestseller list. Swafford has received numerous accolades, including a Deems Taylor Award and a Mellon Fellowship. His compositions, known for their New Romantic style, draw inspiration from nature, world music, and jazz, evidencing his diverse musical influences.

Martina Swafford, known by her pen name "Belle Bremer," was a celebrated American poet of the long nineteenth century with a significant impact on Indiana's literary scene. Despite her vision impairment, which often prevented her from reading or writing, Swafford contributed extensively to periodicals like the "Saturday Evening Post" and "Peterson's Magazine." Her poetic works, characterized by a romantic style with melodic and artistic treatment, include notable pieces like "The Norse King" and "The Haunted Battlefield." Her sole published volume, Wych Elm (1891), and her membership in the Western Association of Writers underscore her literary significance.

Born Marthena Funkhouser near Terre Haute, Indiana, on July 26, 1845, Swafford was the daughter of Virginians John G. Funkhouser and Mary E "Polly" Martin. Her father had German ancestry and was a prominent farmer in Vigo County, Indiana, while her mother was of English descent. This Virginian heritage influenced Swafford's self-identification as semi-Southern, with her time divided between Indiana and winters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Howard Graham Swafford was a distinguished American politician and lawyer from Tennessee, known for his impactful career in public service. Born on October 11, 1919, in Jasper, Tennessee, Swafford served as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 12th District between 1973 and 1985. Beyond his political career, he was a respected member of the Tennessee Bar Association and an alumnus of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. A World War II veteran, Swafford served as a Naval Aviator Pilot and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57), showcasing his dedication and service to the nation.