Arthur Swift facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Swift
|
|
|---|---|
| Texas House, First Congress | |
| In office February 16, 1846 – December 13, 1847 |
|
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | John D. Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1812 Virginia, USA |
| Died | 1855 Seguin, Texas |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouses | Margaret Baker, Philadelphia Borden |
| Co-founder of Seguin, Texas | |
Arthur Swift (1812–1855) was an important person in early Texas history. He was a businessman, a surveyor, and a leader in politics and the military. Arthur Swift helped create the town of Seguin, Texas. He also served as a Texas State Representative.
Contents
Early Life
Arthur Swift was born in Virginia in 1812. When he was young, he moved to Tennessee. Later, he traveled all the way to Texas. He arrived in Gonzales, Texas, in 1837.
Building Texas Towns
In 1838, Swift helped found a new town called Walnut Springs. This town later became Seguin, Texas. He bought a lot of land in the area. In Gonzales County, he helped with legal tasks. He was also appointed as Tax Collector, Constable, and Clerk in 1841. From 1840 to 1844, he worked as the Gonzales county surveyor.
Texas Ranger Service
In 1841, Swift served as a Gonzales Ranger. He fought in the Texas-Indian wars under James Hughes Callahan. He also volunteered with Benjamin McCulloch's group that same year.
Defending Texas
In 1842, the city of San Antonio was attacked twice. During one attack in March 1842, people from San Antonio found safety in Seguin. Arthur Swift was a Captain in the group that chased the army of Ráfael Vásquez. Later in 1842, when Adrian Woll invaded Texas, Arthur Swift helped defend the area. He was a Second Lieutenant with Mathew Caldwell's forces at the Battle of the Salado.
Businessman and Politician
In 1846, Swift helped organize Guadalupe County. He then became the first Texas State Representative for Gonzales and Guadalupe County. He served in this role in 1846 and 1847. He even introduced the bill that officially created the new county.
Family and Business
On July 2, 1845, Arthur Swift married Margaret Baker. They had four children together. Their family lived in a special limecrete style home in Seguin, Texas. They also ran a ferry service on the Guadalupe River. In addition, they owned a general store in town. Swift was also important in setting up schools and the First Baptist Church of Seguin.
Later Life
Arthur Swift's first wife, Margaret, passed away around 1853. In February 1855, Swift married Philadelphia Borden. Sadly, just a month and ten days later, in April, Arthur Swift died from a fever. He was buried in the Northwest corner of Vaughan Cemetery in Seguin, Texas. The Baker family helped care for and raise Swift's children after his death.
