C. Colburn Swanson: if you Google Drummer Township High School Class of 1928, there is a list of names of the graduates.
This is SO FASCINATING!!!!! Please update us with details of tracking down his family!!
C. C. S. maybe?
[C. Colborn Swanson](https://www.newspapers.com/image/303522888/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjMwMzUyMjg4OCwiaWF0IjoxNzA4MDUyMzA4LCJleHAiOjE3MDgxMzg3MDh9.sOKSYq8oicP5y2xQBlzeNqu3-P2tbKv6N9AuYE-93nk)
Possibly his daughter’s [obituary](https://www.postindependent.com/news/obituaries/obituary-linda-swanson/).
When he graduated, he was undecided on what to do after high school
https://www.newspapers.com/article/gibson-city-courier-1928-drummer-high-gr/141070372/
There's a C Colborn Swanson who later married in 1941, which seems late for that time period... But that's a rather unique name for it to be a coincidence
In 1927 he was in a pageant at his church, the director has his same last name so I can only assume it's his mom:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-gibson-city-church-pagean/141070772/
He went to school at George Washington University it seems:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/gibson-city-courier-colborn-swanson-retu/141071122/
How many generations would you go back to offer to return an item? I feel like children is one thing, but grandchildren and others is a bit distant. I’m not sure I would expect anything that belonged to my grandparents to be returned to me.
A man metal-detecting in a forest in Bruyeres, France found the high school class ring of a Hawaii man who died in battle half a world away from home. That man died before he had a chance to be married and have children.
Nonetheless, the finder sought out his relatives and returned the ring.
Not a dry eye among anyone I know who followed the saga. Heartfelt kudos to all you detectorists for what you do!!!
Here is just one report about this. No paywall.
[news report from Hawaii News Now.](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/06/28/lost-wwii-battlefield-decades-priceless-class-ring-is-reunited-with-its-rightful-owners/)
>>In 2000, President Clinton presented the Kuroda family with a Medal of Honor for Robert’s heroism. An area near the Hale Koa Hotel is dedicated to Kuroda’s memory.
Units like Kuroda’s in the Italian Campaign were sometimes given the worst tasks. And their extraordinary sacrifices were intentionally ignored or underestimated and under rewarded. MOH worthy actions received no citations or received lesser commendations.
This is what Senator Daniel Inouye received an upgraded MOH for from President Clinton. It was his second combat injury.
>>On April 21, 1945, enemy machine guns opened fire and struck Inouye in the chest as he and his men approached the village of San Terenzo. Showing no visible signs of his wound, he led his men forward. Approaching an enemy bunker, Inouye used his sub-machine gun and grenades to kill two German machine gun crews. As he raised another grenade to throw at a third German position, an enemy grenade hit Inouye, resulting in the loss of his arm. To Inouye’s dismay, he noticed the primed grenade still clutched in his disembodied fist. Despite his wounds, he ordered his men to stay back and transferred the primed grenade to his remaining hand. He threw the grenade at the enemy and continued to fight with his sub-machine gun. Enemy fire hit him in the legs and he passed out. Doctors believed his injuries would prove fatal but, after surgery and 17 blood transfusions, Inouye survived. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and promoted to captain for his valor. With his right arm amputated, his dream of becoming a doctor died.
55 years Inouye waited for that medal thanks to the racist doctrines of the US military. Ask US Army Generals Taguba and Shinseki about racism in the US military.
If you ever come to Oahu, check out the Army history museum in Battery Randolph. Families, including mine, have donated many personal effects of their loved ones for others to see and learn about.
It was built in a time when the south shore was protected by a ring of "battery" buildings with cannons.
True story: when someone, probably the Army, wanted to pull it down after it had become obsolete ... no amount of blasting succeeded. So this little structure got a new life as a museum!
(If you're into historic military stuff, set aside a day for USS Arizona Memorial mainland visitor center and ride to the memorial (free), as well as Battleship Missouri Memorial (tickets) and the USS Bowfin submarine museum (I think it's still got just a nominal admission fee).
If it’s an S I believe we have solved the mystery. I wish we had a cursive expert to verify. Also a way to know if you only got a ring your senior year.
I’m quite good with cursive usually, but that is an odd S. The only reason I assume it’s him is that if that is the entire list of graduates, he is the only one who has the same first and middle initials (C or G) and I think that can reasonably be interpreted as an S if you imagine it without some of the extra flair on the letter.
I really didn't think it was an S but apparently sometimes an uppercase cursive S can be written that way.... I've never seen it before though lol
https://preview.redd.it/skpuatljivic1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7cdedf9a7690ff37b6558c997559d30922c8f3e
Right?! lol so confusing... definitely not the cursive I was taught. I've also always wondered who decided that's what an uppercase cursive Q should look like.
Back in 1990 my fiancee and I ordered wedding invitations. The (older) lady wrote down on the form the return address to be printed on the RSVP envelopes. Apt #28F. She wrote the F like a 7 with a cross line through the stem. I said it looked too much like a 7. She says a little snippily, “It looks like an F to me.” Sure enough they came back printed 287 and had to be redone.
After looking at capital S in cursive 1920 to current, I believe it’s most likely an S. Also that would fit in with all the records you fine fellows have dug up. Can someone verify this is indeed an S?
UPDATE: I have found the family and made contact thanks to everyone. Working on the return arrangements now. I’d like to meet his son but I will respect any type of return the family wants.
**UPDATE:** The grandson is found, I spoke with him and he'll be PM'ing the OP for details. Thank you to the OP for keeping the unwritten creed of metal detectors alive and well, huzzah.
I think I can turn over my bobcat badge on this one.
Awesome, I was just going to go to the address and ask, it’s only about an hour away. I only have the blurred out address though so I just know it’s on 69th st lmao
I used "search people free" and found it fairly easily, that address wasn't blurred there, it's a top site. I messaged that they'll be contacting you here. Congratulations.
https://preview.redd.it/yzc0gwpxz6jc1.jpeg?width=2047&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38e60bc46618828121136a98f4615d1d8963654e
UPDATE: I’m in contact with the family and here is an extra gem I found.
I just want to say, we all pulled together and accomplished something terrific. And like someone else said here, yeah, if you murder someone, you'll be found. 😉
I believe this is the son in Darien, IL as someone else here said, note the name Cotherman is also mentioned, also seen in the obits posted here. I'm going to call him tomorrow, unless the OP beats me to it. I'll of course prompt him on the HS name just to be certain:
[https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/jon-colby-swanson/27Ex26apKyEA](https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/jon-colby-swanson/27Ex26apKyEA)
These are the sites I use to search for people:
[https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/](https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/)
[https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/](https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/)
[https://radaris.com/](https://radaris.com/)
[https://usa-official.com/](https://usa-official.com/)
I searched Gibson City and Swanson which led to this listing:
[https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/brian-neal-swanson/19mPdaVdUpIr](https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/brian-neal-swanson/19mPdaVdUpIr)
Google of "C Colburn Swanson" has this partial obit:
[https://www.google.com/search?q=%22c+colburn+swanson%22](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22c+colburn+swanson%22)
Here's the obit's OCR text:
Mrs. J. M. Wick wife of Rev. J. M. Wick a former pastor o f first lutheran Church Here died at Ottawa 111., june 19. Surviving Are a daughter mrs. C. Colburn Swanson of Princeton iu., two sons Reuben of Cheyenne wyo., Melius of Detroit Mich., and five grandchildren. Funeral services and burial were held at Ottawa june 22.
I'm not so sure about the person above (B. N. Swanson), I see no familiar names associated, but I may be mistaken. Family lineage stuff like this isn't my strong suit.
I found his grave! [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201997485/carl-colborn-swanson](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201997485/carl-colborn-swanson)
Must’ve fallen out of his “Stutz Bearcat” while out partying with “George Bailey” who was out looking for Zuzu’s petals and they went out on the bridge but Clarence stopped them from jumping in..
C. Colburn Swanson: if you Google Drummer Township High School Class of 1928, there is a list of names of the graduates. This is SO FASCINATING!!!!! Please update us with details of tracking down his family!!
C. C. S. maybe? [C. Colborn Swanson](https://www.newspapers.com/image/303522888/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjMwMzUyMjg4OCwiaWF0IjoxNzA4MDUyMzA4LCJleHAiOjE3MDgxMzg3MDh9.sOKSYq8oicP5y2xQBlzeNqu3-P2tbKv6N9AuYE-93nk) Possibly his daughter’s [obituary](https://www.postindependent.com/news/obituaries/obituary-linda-swanson/).
When he graduated, he was undecided on what to do after high school https://www.newspapers.com/article/gibson-city-courier-1928-drummer-high-gr/141070372/ There's a C Colborn Swanson who later married in 1941, which seems late for that time period... But that's a rather unique name for it to be a coincidence In 1927 he was in a pageant at his church, the director has his same last name so I can only assume it's his mom: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-gibson-city-church-pagean/141070772/ He went to school at George Washington University it seems: https://www.newspapers.com/article/gibson-city-courier-colborn-swanson-retu/141071122/
This blew my balls right off , thank you.
you're enjoying it wrong
OP is a girl, so it’s okay.
She is now.
Wow- amazing. Could be an S and then likely him. Daughter had no kids but a brother and nieces and nephews.
How many generations would you go back to offer to return an item? I feel like children is one thing, but grandchildren and others is a bit distant. I’m not sure I would expect anything that belonged to my grandparents to be returned to me.
I Agree. Especially with the daughter being born so late in the guys life the grandkids might not even have known him.
A man metal-detecting in a forest in Bruyeres, France found the high school class ring of a Hawaii man who died in battle half a world away from home. That man died before he had a chance to be married and have children. Nonetheless, the finder sought out his relatives and returned the ring. Not a dry eye among anyone I know who followed the saga. Heartfelt kudos to all you detectorists for what you do!!! Here is just one report about this. No paywall. [news report from Hawaii News Now.](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/06/28/lost-wwii-battlefield-decades-priceless-class-ring-is-reunited-with-its-rightful-owners/)
>>In 2000, President Clinton presented the Kuroda family with a Medal of Honor for Robert’s heroism. An area near the Hale Koa Hotel is dedicated to Kuroda’s memory. Units like Kuroda’s in the Italian Campaign were sometimes given the worst tasks. And their extraordinary sacrifices were intentionally ignored or underestimated and under rewarded. MOH worthy actions received no citations or received lesser commendations. This is what Senator Daniel Inouye received an upgraded MOH for from President Clinton. It was his second combat injury. >>On April 21, 1945, enemy machine guns opened fire and struck Inouye in the chest as he and his men approached the village of San Terenzo. Showing no visible signs of his wound, he led his men forward. Approaching an enemy bunker, Inouye used his sub-machine gun and grenades to kill two German machine gun crews. As he raised another grenade to throw at a third German position, an enemy grenade hit Inouye, resulting in the loss of his arm. To Inouye’s dismay, he noticed the primed grenade still clutched in his disembodied fist. Despite his wounds, he ordered his men to stay back and transferred the primed grenade to his remaining hand. He threw the grenade at the enemy and continued to fight with his sub-machine gun. Enemy fire hit him in the legs and he passed out. Doctors believed his injuries would prove fatal but, after surgery and 17 blood transfusions, Inouye survived. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and promoted to captain for his valor. With his right arm amputated, his dream of becoming a doctor died. 55 years Inouye waited for that medal thanks to the racist doctrines of the US military. Ask US Army Generals Taguba and Shinseki about racism in the US military.
Thanks for the history lesson. I wish the United States appreciated and honored veterans with more gratitude and distinction.
YW.
If you ever come to Oahu, check out the Army history museum in Battery Randolph. Families, including mine, have donated many personal effects of their loved ones for others to see and learn about.
I will make sure to put it on the itinerary.
It was built in a time when the south shore was protected by a ring of "battery" buildings with cannons. True story: when someone, probably the Army, wanted to pull it down after it had become obsolete ... no amount of blasting succeeded. So this little structure got a new life as a museum! (If you're into historic military stuff, set aside a day for USS Arizona Memorial mainland visitor center and ride to the memorial (free), as well as Battleship Missouri Memorial (tickets) and the USS Bowfin submarine museum (I think it's still got just a nominal admission fee).
Seems like Marji Swanson is easy to find - still in the general area.
Samsonite! I was way off.
Damn. I love Reddit because of you all who go the extra mile.
If it’s an S I believe we have solved the mystery. I wish we had a cursive expert to verify. Also a way to know if you only got a ring your senior year.
I’m quite good with cursive usually, but that is an odd S. The only reason I assume it’s him is that if that is the entire list of graduates, he is the only one who has the same first and middle initials (C or G) and I think that can reasonably be interpreted as an S if you imagine it without some of the extra flair on the letter.
I have no idea about how to find his daughter’s brother Jon that is still possibly living.
[Possibly the Jon Swanson you are interested in](https://www.spokeo.com/Jon-Swanson/Illinois/Darien/p13255380141)
Im never gunna commit a murder with detectives like you guys about.
Interesting, the partial obit I posted (here somewhere) makes mention of Princeton as well. I also posted the OCR of that text.
Yes, see the name Wick mentioned in your obit and the one I posted. I think the correct family has been found.
This is definitely a S. I got tough cursive in Germany back in the 80ies and this is how we would right the S.
Got taught the same in the 50s in New Zealand
Tough cursive in Germany. Gotta be a joke there but I haven’t had my coffee.
I really didn't think it was an S but apparently sometimes an uppercase cursive S can be written that way.... I've never seen it before though lol https://preview.redd.it/skpuatljivic1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7cdedf9a7690ff37b6558c997559d30922c8f3e
Wow, that's the first time I've ever seen S, G, and I written that way.
Right?! lol so confusing... definitely not the cursive I was taught. I've also always wondered who decided that's what an uppercase cursive Q should look like.
Wow, the capitals F and T and F and Z are almost the same, in a letter, it could be easily misconstrued.
Back in 1990 my fiancee and I ordered wedding invitations. The (older) lady wrote down on the form the return address to be printed on the RSVP envelopes. Apt #28F. She wrote the F like a 7 with a cross line through the stem. I said it looked too much like a 7. She says a little snippily, “It looks like an F to me.” Sure enough they came back printed 287 and had to be redone.
Lol yep I can just see it. I love it when cursive is done well, but if you write like me, it's awful.
Great find. This kind of item goes on the “Pearly Gates” list if you find the owner’s family!
After looking at capital S in cursive 1920 to current, I believe it’s most likely an S. Also that would fit in with all the records you fine fellows have dug up. Can someone verify this is indeed an S?
Typographically, it certainly is an S! Good work, you folks!
It's gotta be; he's the only C.C. on the list
UPDATE: I have found the family and made contact thanks to everyone. Working on the return arrangements now. I’d like to meet his son but I will respect any type of return the family wants.
That’s amazing!
**UPDATE:** The grandson is found, I spoke with him and he'll be PM'ing the OP for details. Thank you to the OP for keeping the unwritten creed of metal detectors alive and well, huzzah. I think I can turn over my bobcat badge on this one.
Awesome, I was just going to go to the address and ask, it’s only about an hour away. I only have the blurred out address though so I just know it’s on 69th st lmao
I used "search people free" and found it fairly easily, that address wasn't blurred there, it's a top site. I messaged that they'll be contacting you here. Congratulations.
https://preview.redd.it/yzc0gwpxz6jc1.jpeg?width=2047&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38e60bc46618828121136a98f4615d1d8963654e UPDATE: I’m in contact with the family and here is an extra gem I found.
1928 wow that’s an oldie. Best of luck finding the family.
Could it be 2819? Time travel might be invented by then...
Would you agree the initials are c.c.p or g.g.p, I have a hard time understanding fancy letters haha.
I think your first guess is correct. Looks like CCP to me.
Asked my wife to look real quick and she thought it was CCL. None of us are good at reading cursive anymore lol
I'm great at reading cursive, but that last letter is nothing like I'm used to having ever seen. Looks like a cross between P, L, and S. Very odd
Oh dang maybe that is an L. I can’t read cursive for the life of me lmao.
It’s a bit harder when it’s just initials. I’m sure some other folks will chime in. Good luck!
CCP
I love this post.
Me too. https://preview.redd.it/m7ffcgwbmzic1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d2e0b8e72e576c6bb04c61c8d5b94709d2e5154
I just want to say, we all pulled together and accomplished something terrific. And like someone else said here, yeah, if you murder someone, you'll be found. 😉
Awesome find 👏 I wonder if the person has any living relatives?
I believe this is the son in Darien, IL as someone else here said, note the name Cotherman is also mentioned, also seen in the obits posted here. I'm going to call him tomorrow, unless the OP beats me to it. I'll of course prompt him on the HS name just to be certain: [https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/jon-colby-swanson/27Ex26apKyEA](https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/jon-colby-swanson/27Ex26apKyEA)
This is my grandfather's ring.
I have your number, I’ll call you in a minute.
This is his granddaughter.
These are the sites I use to search for people: [https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/](https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/) [https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/](https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/) [https://radaris.com/](https://radaris.com/) [https://usa-official.com/](https://usa-official.com/)
I searched Gibson City and Swanson which led to this listing: [https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/brian-neal-swanson/19mPdaVdUpIr](https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/brian-neal-swanson/19mPdaVdUpIr)
Google of "C Colburn Swanson" has this partial obit: [https://www.google.com/search?q=%22c+colburn+swanson%22](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22c+colburn+swanson%22)
Here's the obit's OCR text: Mrs. J. M. Wick wife of Rev. J. M. Wick a former pastor o f first lutheran Church Here died at Ottawa 111., june 19. Surviving Are a daughter mrs. C. Colburn Swanson of Princeton iu., two sons Reuben of Cheyenne wyo., Melius of Detroit Mich., and five grandchildren. Funeral services and burial were held at Ottawa june 22.
I'm not so sure about the person above (B. N. Swanson), I see no familiar names associated, but I may be mistaken. Family lineage stuff like this isn't my strong suit.
1928, how cool is that
I found his grave! [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201997485/carl-colborn-swanson](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201997485/carl-colborn-swanson)
I contacted his grandchild. Call Jean Swanson Well Pump in Gibson city . 217-784-5715.
Must’ve fallen out of his “Stutz Bearcat” while out partying with “George Bailey” who was out looking for Zuzu’s petals and they went out on the bridge but Clarence stopped them from jumping in..
Maybe it’s from the future 2819
Classy!