George W. Swift The second son of Rev. Marcus Swift, was born May 21, 1817. He was in his ninth year when his ear caught the first notes of the melodious wolf in the Michigan forests. He enjoyed the usual advantages of the district school before leaving his native State, but the school he attended the next few years developed more muscle and manly courage than brain. In his early life in the woods, bread and butter were necessities; the advantages of the schoolroom could be omitted. During the years of his minority he attended school only such days as he could conveniently be spared from earning bread. In those days, regular attendance at school was not considered important; and it was very exceptional among our people. George, in this fitful manner, attended not to exceed four winter terms of school. In the winter of 1837-8, he, in his twenty-first year, returned to his native State and attended a common school in Macedon Center, working out of school hours for his board. The following winter he attended a select school in Northville, taught by a Mr. Ames. In the winter of 1839-40 he sat in the schoolroom of Mr. H. H. Griffen in Grass Lake. Here he bade farewell to the student's place in the schoolroom forever. The next winter he taught the only school he ever taught, in the Paxton district in Dearborn. In February of this year he married Miss Sarah A. Pudney of Northville. He built a house on the section line, just north of his father's barn. It was raised in the forenoon of the day that Harrison was inaugurated president. The morning was dark and cold, but about nine o'clock the clouds cleared, and the sun shone beautifully. O. D. Swift predicted the day was emblematic of the coming administration, dark at its opening but becoming brighter as it advanced. In the minds of some politicians, the emblem was perfect for the sun shone but a few minutes when the horizon again clouded, and the remainder of the day was dark, cold and disagreeable. Mr. Swift lived here till the summer of 1851. His business was somewhat miscellaneous. He was a farmer and carpenter and joiner and he worked at both. From here he moved to Northville, and in company with his older brother built a church in Lapham's corners in Salem, in 1851. For a short time he engaged in manufacturing and sale of boots and shoes in Northville. After a two years' residence here he bought his brother's farm in Nankin and removed thereon. A part of the years 1855-56 he spent in Detroit, as deputy, under Sheriff Joshua Howard. In the fall of 1856 he ran on the republican ticket for judge of probate, but was defeated by Elijah Hawley, Jr. The following winter he was appointed State librarian by Gov. Bingham, and soon moved his family to Lansing. In March, 1859, he, at the solicitation of the governor, went to the counties of Gratiot and Isabella to distribute the provisions the State had donated to the destitute settlers. After the termination of his term as State librarian he engaged as a builder and manufacturer of furniture. In July, 1863, on the night of the celebration of the capture of Vicksburg, his furniture shops, in the corner of Shiawassee street and Washington avenue, burned with the materials and manufactured wares. This crippled his finances and he decided to leave Lansing. Having previously purchased a part of the farm on the late Wm. Osband in Nankin, he removed to it in the June following. He was sergeant at arms of the legislature at its session in 1865, and was elected to represent his district in the legislature at the election of 1866 and reelected in 1868. He subsequently served four years as U.S. consul at Windsor, Ontario. In 1874 his wife died. He subsequently married Miss Gertrude Dunlap of Northville, with whom he lived till his death, which occurred April 29, 1885, at the age of 68 years. During his later school days George began public extemporaneous speaking. While at the Northville school in the winter of 1838-9 he threw himself into the anti slavery contest, then coming prominently before the public. The discussions commenced in the school lyceum. They soon enlisted every man, woman and child in the vicinity, old and intelligent enough to take sides. The excitement spread to surrounding towns and enlisted not only the best local talent, but the best talent in the lecture field. Thus did the abolition war commence in our locality. From this time forward, Mr. Swift’s voice was never wanting where it would bear against the institution he cordially hated. To better prepare himself for this contest, he read all the current literature on that subject, together with treatises on common and constitutional law. The cause was unpopular then. He was ostracized by society. His name became a reproach. But a change came. The clouds broke. The shackles fell from the slave. The banners of freedom waved aloft, and he became popular and served the people in the several offices mentioned above. He was a profound thinker, a successful debater and a fluent and attractive speaker. He was a temperance man of the first water, and an uncompromising opponent of the liquor traffic. His public addresses in behalf of total abstinence from all that can intoxicate were numbered by the hundreds. Mr. Swift’s social faculties were of a high order. There were few who did not covet his society. In the social circle he was dignified, pleasant, easy of approach, discussed current topics intelligently and always with tender regard for the feelings of all present. He was not a successful business man. His business methods were unfortunate and unpopular. His relations with his employes were frequently unpleasant. In his business relations he antagonized a great many men. He was active and energetic. He did a great amount of business and handled a large amount of property. But his last years were passed under a financial cloud which his persistent efforts were unable to lift. In early life he united with the M.E. church, but followed the rest of his family in secession in 1841. Later in life he joined the Congregational church, with a reservation of certain points of doctrine. He was sympathetic and his sympathies were easily excited. He loved a useful life, and did much good, and the world is better for his having lived.
Transcribed by Pat Dettloff Html by Deb 6/16/00 |
