Boyhood companions in Galena, Illinois, Hempstead Washburne and George Bell Swift were close friends until Swift’s family moved to Chicago, and Washburne went to school in Maine. No doubt, they were re-acquainted when they served terms as mayors of Chicago. Washburne was elected mayor in 1891, and Swift was elected in 1893 and again in 1895. Both were Republicans.
George Bell Swift, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 14, 1845, graduated from the University of Chicago. He started working as a medicinal drug clerk until he became interested in manufacturing. In 1868, he married Lucy Louise Brown, and they had six children.
Swift entered political service, and he served two terms as alderman of the Eleventh Ward. In 1885, President Arthur appointed him Special Agent of the Treasury. In 1887, he was appointed Chicago Commissioner of Public Works.
When Carter Harrison, Sr. was assassinated in 1893, Swift was elected Mayor pro-tem by the City Council until a special election could be held later that year. He was elected mayor again in 1895, by Chicagoans. Swift, a man of few words, presented inaugural speeches considered by the Chicago Tribune to be the shortest on record, each one only a short paragraph. He worked hard to further the interests of Chicagoans during both terms of office.
After serving as mayor, he established the contracting firm George B. Swift Company. He was also president of Frazier Lubricator Company and Swift Fuel Company.
Six years before his friend Washburne, he died of heart failure, surrounded by his family, on July 2, 1912. He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery.
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