Described by peers as gentle, self-effacing, and ambivalent toward politics, Henry Swift was Minnesota's third governor for less than a year, completing the second term of Alexander Ramsey, who had been elected United States Senator. With little time or apparent inclination to effect major change, this un-elected governor concentrated on assuring the welfare of Civil War veterans.
After graduation with honors from Western Reserve College in his native Ohio, Swift tutored the children of a slave owner in Mississippi, an experience that reinforced his commitment to abolition. He returned to Ohio, earned a law degree, and began a career in business and government service.
He and his family journeyed to Minnesota in 1853, settling first in St. Paul then St. Peter. With his partners in the St. Peter Land Company, he campaigned, unsuccessfully, to relocate the state capital in their burgeoning Minnesota River town.
Swift left his commercial enterprises in 1861 for the state senate seat that propelled him into the governorship. Later he served two more terms in the senate and was a reluctant candidate for the U.S. Senate. "I shall be ten times happier with my family in St. Peter than as Senator at Washington," he declared characteristically upon learning he had lost the Republican senatorial nomination in 1865. Four years later, he succumbed to typhoid fever at age 45.
henry, adoniram, swift, march, 1823, february, 1869, american, politician, third, governor, minnesota, served, governor, from, july, 1863, january, 1864, after, serving, third, lieutenant, governor, minnesota, when, governor, alexander, ramsey, resigned, enter. Henry Adoniram Swift March 23 1823 February 25 1869 was an American politician who was the third Governor of Minnesota He served as governor from July 10 1863 to January 11 1864 after serving as the third Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota when Governor Alexander Ramsey resigned to enter the United States Congress Prior to that he had served in the Minnesota Senate Swift was a Republican Henry Adoniram Swift3rd Governor of MinnesotaIn office July 10 1863 January 11 1864LieutenantVacantPreceded byAlexander RamseySucceeded byStephen Miller3rd Lieutenant Governor of MinnesotaIn office March 4 1863 July 10 1863GovernorAlexander RamseyPreceded byIgnatius L DonnellySucceeded byCharles D SherwoodPersonal detailsBorn 1823 03 23 March 23 1823Ravenna Ohio U S DiedFebruary 25 1869 1869 02 25 aged 45 St Peter Minnesota U S Political partyRepublicanSpouseRuth LivingstonProfessionlawyer businessperson abolitionist Described by peers as gentle self effacing and ambivalent toward politics Henry Swift was Minnesota s third governor for less than a year completing the second term of Alexander Ramsey who had been elected United States Senator With little time or apparent inclination to effect major change this un elected governor concentrated on assuring the welfare of Civil War veterans After graduation with honors from Western Reserve College in his native Ohio Swift tutored the children of a slave owner in Mississippi an experience that reinforced his commitment to abolition He returned to Ohio earned a law degree and began a career in business and government service He and his family journeyed to Minnesota in 1853 settling first in St Paul then St Peter With his partners in the St Peter Land Company he campaigned unsuccessfully to relocate the state capital in their burgeoning Minnesota River town Swift left his commercial enterprises in 1861 for the state senate seat that propelled him into the governorship Later he served two more terms in the senate and was a reluctant candidate for the U S Senate I shall be ten times happier with my family in St Peter than as Senator at Washington he declared characteristically upon learning he had lost the Republican senatorial nomination in 1865 Four years later he succumbed to typhoid fever at age 45 Swift County Minnesota was named after him in 1870 1 References edit Upham Warren 1920 Minnesota Geographic Names Their Origin and Historic Significance Minnesota Historical Society p 539 Biographical information and his gubernatorial records are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society Minnesota Legislators Past and Present Political offices Preceded byIgnatius L Donnelly Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota1863 1863 Succeeded byCharles D Sherwood Preceded byAlexander Ramsey Governor of Minnesota1863 1864 Succeeded byStephen Miller Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Henry Adoniram Swift amp oldid 1185660818, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
