George Bell Swift

George Bell Swift (December 14, 1845 – July 2, 1912; buried in Rosehill Cemetery) served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1893; 1895–1897) for the Republican Party. He was selected to replace the assassinated Carter Harrison III on a temporary basis as mayor pro tem in 1893 and lost a bid for election as mayor later that year. He was elected mayor when he ran in 1895.^[3]

George Bell Swift
Bell in 1896
36th[1] Mayor of Chicago
In office April 8, 1895 – April 15, 1897
Preceded by	John Patrick Hopkins
Succeeded by	Carter Harrison IV
Acting November 9, 1893 – December 27, 1893
Preceded by	Carter Harrison III
Succeeded by	John Patrick Hopkins
Chicago Alderman from the 11th Ward[2]
In office 1892–1894 Serving with William D. Kent
Preceded by	Walter M. Pond
Succeeded by	Alexander H. Watson
In office 1879–1881 Serving with Amos G. Throop (1879–1880) Thomas N. Bond (1880–1881)
Preceded by	Ansel B. Cooke
Succeeded by	Thaddeus Dean
Personal details
Born	(1845-12-14)December 14, 1845 Cincinnati, Ohio
Died	July 2, 1912(1912-07-02) (aged 66) Chicago, Illinois
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lucy L. Brown
Children	Brown F. Swift, Herbert B. Swift, George L. Swift, Grace Bell Bachelder, Adelaide Pearl Taylor, Eldred B. Swift, Edith L. Swift
Residence(s)	Chicago, Illinois

Early life and career

Swift was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Samuel W. Swift and Elizabeth Swift (born Bell). His family moved to Galena, Illinois when he was young. By his teenage years, the family was living in Chicago. Prior to serving as mayor of Chicago, Swift served two terms as an alderman from the 11th Ward (one term from 1879 to 1881 and one term from 1892 until 1894 (the latter of which he was serving during his acting mayoralty in 1893).^[2] From 1887 to 1889, he was the city's Commissioner of Public Works.^[4]

Swift was a proponent of the City Beautiful movement.^[5]

Acting mayoralty

After the assassination of Carter Harrison III, the Chicago City Council selected Swift to serve as pro tempore in a heated meeting on November 4, 1893. As mayor pro tempore, Swift would be the city's acting mayor, serving until a new mayor would be elected.^[6] Swift was sworn in as acting mayor on November 9, 1893.^[7] The following month, he lost the special election to fill the remainder of Harrison's term, being defeated by Democrat John Patrick Hopkins. Hopkins took office as mayor on December 27, 1893, ending Swift's acting mayoralty.^[8]

Mayoralty

In 1895, Swift was elected mayor of Chicago, defeating Democratic nominee Frank Wenter by a broad margin. Swift was sworn in as mayor on April 8, 1895.^[9]

Swift declined to seek reelection in 1897, and was succeeded by Democrat Carter Harrison IV on April 15, 1897.^[10][11]