Swanson, Alexander David

Born in Scotland and deafened at age 9 months from reaction to a smallpox vaccination. Emigrated with his family to Canada in 1881; attended the Ontario Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 1885-1895, Kendall School 1895-1896, and Gallaudet College 1896-graduation 1901. Homesteaded a farm in Alberta; in 1926, met and married Blanche Henderson (also deaf), little more than half his age. They lived and worked on his farm until his death from cancer, then Blanche Henderson Swanson (q.v.) sold the farm and bought another one of her own.