George Bell Swift
28th Mayor of Chicago
Party:
Republican
Elected:
1st term:
Elected pro-tem mayor by City Council on November 6, 1893 pending a special election
2nd term:
April 2, 1895
Defeated Frank Wenter (Democrat), Arthur J. Bassett (Prohibition), Bayard Holmes (People's Party) and Ebenezer Wakely (Free Silver)
Inaugurations:
1st term: November 9, 1893: Inaugural Address
2nd term: April 8, 1895: Inaugural Address
Terms of office:
1st term: 1893
2nd term: 1895-1897
Birth:
December 14, 1845
Cincinnati, OH
Personal:
Childhood friend of Hempstead Washburne in Galena, Illinois
Married Miss Lucy L. Brown, together had 6 children
Graduated from the University of Chicago
Worked as a drug clerk, later in manufacturing
Served as alderman from the 11th ward
1885 – President Arthur appointed him special agent of the treasury
1887 – Appointed commissioner of public works
After mayoral terms, started contracting firm, George B. Swift Company, also served as president of Frazer Lubricator Company and of Swift Fuel Company
1911 – Appointed to Board of Education
Death:
July 2, 1912
Chicago, IL
Gravesite:
Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago
Sources:
Grossman, James R., Ann Durkin Keating, and Janice L. Reiff, editors. Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2004.
Chicago Daily Tribune, Nov. 7, 1893, pg. 1.
Chicago Daily Tribune, July 3, 1912, pg. 15.
Chicago Daily Tribune, July 5, 1912, pg. 17.