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Swan Micheaux

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Swan Micheaux, Jr, who served as Secretary-Treasurer of Micheaux Book and Film, co. until 1927, is buried right next to Oscar Micheaux to the south, but has no tombstone. Instead his grave is marked with a small metal plate. Oscar Micheaux's grave was similarly marked until a tombstone was placed for him in 1988.

After Swan and Oscar parted ways in 1927, Swan worked in New York as the manager of imported films for a company based in Berlin, Germany. Later, he worked for Dunbar Film Corporation. Eventually, he made his own film----"Midnight Ace."

April 10, 1920 Chicago Defender
Fine Career
The subject of this sketch is Swan Emerson Micheaux, favorite son of Great Bend, Kan. and Director and Manager of Micheaux Book and Film Co. From the wilds of Kansas to the Loop, from errand boy to film corporation manager is no small jump. Mr. Micheaux has been and is a success at both, despite the fact that he took over management of the film company on the eve of its going into the hands of a receiver. At the end of six months he called the directors of the company to Sioux City, Iowa, and cut the first melon, declaring 27% on a $40,000 investment...He directed his brother, Oscar Micheaux, to produce "Within Our Gates."

..."There are three essential departments in the picture game----unlimited capital, good productions, and selling management. The game is too fast for slow thinkers. There must be quick action regardless of cost, all hours working hours every day," said Mr. Micheaux in a recent interview.

According to Micheaux scholar Pearl Bowser, Oscar Micheaux was out of town at the time Swan gave this interview, and Oscar was angry when he returned to Chicago and saw that his youngest brother was claiming credit for Oscar's genius. Thanks to Betti Carol VanEpps-Taylor for reproducing this article in her book: "Oscar Micheaux....Dakota Homesteader, Author, Pioneer Film Maker" (1999)

Memory of Swan's funeral