Arthur Swift
Encyclopedia
Arthur Swift was a 19th-century Texas merchant, political and military figure. He along with Rangers Mathew Caldwell
and James Campbell were founders of Seguin, Texas
and a member of Callahan's Gonzales-Seguin Rangers and a participant in the Texas–Indian wars. He served as a Texas State Representative for Gonzales
-Guadalupe County.
.
, a new town in Gonzales County, Texas. During this time, he was able to purchase large tracts of land in the area. In Gonzales County, he assisted in legal matters and represented clients and was soon appointed Tax Collector, Constable and Clerk in 1841. He was performing surveys as early as 1838 and later was Gonzales county surveyor from 1840-1844.
's volunteers the same year.
His partner James Campbell, had been killed by Indians the previous year. Caldwell
would go on serving the city of Gonzales, while Swift, although serving Gonzales, concentrated his efforts in Seguin; purchasing the lands of his partners. In 1842, San Antonio would be overrun twice, by Santa Anna
's forces. During March 1842, the citizens of San Antonio would seek refuge at Manuel Flores
Ranch in the city of Seguin, Texas
. Here, a counter attack was planned and Arthur Swift was a Captain of the party that pursued the army of Ráfael Vásquez
. Again in 1842 when Adrian Woll
invaded Texas, Arthur Swift would participate at the Battle of the Salado
as Second Lieutenant with Mathew Caldwell's resistance forces.
was organized through efforts by Swift. Swift would serve as the first Texas State Representative for Gonzales-Guadalupe County
and had introduced the bill that organized the new county. He was married to Margaret Baker, daughter of Judge James McCulloch Baker, and they soon had 4 children. They had a limecrete style home built in Seguin, Texas, operated a ferry on the Guadalupe River
and ran a general store in the town. He was also influential in the organization of the schools and First Baptist Church of Seguin. In 1855, his real estate and merchandise holdings were estimated to be worth around $250,000.
, however tragedy struck again and a month and ten days later, in April, his life was taken by a fever. James McCulloch Baker was appointed as administrator of Swift's estate, by the Guadalupe County Court
. The Baker family would care for and raise the Swift children. Arthur Swift was buried in Vaughan Cemetery, in Seguin, Texas.
Mathew Caldwell
Mathew Caldwell, , also spelled Matthew Caldwell was a 19th century Texas settler, military figure, Captain of the Gonzales - Seguin Rangers and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence...
and James Campbell were founders of Seguin, Texas
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
and a member of Callahan's Gonzales-Seguin Rangers and a participant in the Texas–Indian wars. He served as a Texas State Representative for Gonzales
Gonzales County, Texas
Gonzales County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,628. It is named for its seat, the city of Gonzales.-History Timeline:* Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Coahuiltecan, Tonkawa, Karankawa...
-Guadalupe County.
Early life and family
Arthur Swift was born in 1812 in Virginia. He moved to Tennessee as a young man, but walked all the way to Texas, when the real estate market turned sour. In 1837, he ended up in Gonzales, TexasGonzales, Texas
Gonzales is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gonzales County.-Geography:Gonzales is located at...
.
Career in Texas
In 1838, Swift became one of the founders of Walnut SpringsSeguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
, a new town in Gonzales County, Texas. During this time, he was able to purchase large tracts of land in the area. In Gonzales County, he assisted in legal matters and represented clients and was soon appointed Tax Collector, Constable and Clerk in 1841. He was performing surveys as early as 1838 and later was Gonzales county surveyor from 1840-1844.
Texas Republic Ranger
In 1841, Swift would serve under James Hughes Callahan, as a Gonzales Ranger during the Texas-Indian wars and again with Benjamin McCullochBenjamin McCulloch
Benjamin McCulloch was a soldier in the Texas Revolution, a Texas Ranger, a U.S. marshal, and a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
's volunteers the same year.
His partner James Campbell, had been killed by Indians the previous year. Caldwell
Mathew Caldwell
Mathew Caldwell, , also spelled Matthew Caldwell was a 19th century Texas settler, military figure, Captain of the Gonzales - Seguin Rangers and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence...
would go on serving the city of Gonzales, while Swift, although serving Gonzales, concentrated his efforts in Seguin; purchasing the lands of his partners. In 1842, San Antonio would be overrun twice, by Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
's forces. During March 1842, the citizens of San Antonio would seek refuge at Manuel Flores
Manuel N. Flores
Manuel Flores served as a volunteer in the Texas army in 1835-1838. Fighting and commanding, he would rise through the ranks to reach Sergeant status during the fight for Texas independence and would be commissioned a Captain during the Republic Years.-Family History- Early Years:Manuel Flores...
Ranch in the city of Seguin, Texas
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
. Here, a counter attack was planned and Arthur Swift was a Captain of the party that pursued the army of Ráfael Vásquez
Ráfael Vásquez (Mexican general)
Ráfael Vásquez was a 19th-Century General in the Mexican Army during the Mexican rebellion against the centralist style rule of government.-Early life:...
. Again in 1842 when Adrian Woll
Adrián Woll
Adrián Woll was a French soldier of fortune and mercenary who served as a general in the army of Mexico during the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War.-Biography:...
invaded Texas, Arthur Swift would participate at the Battle of the Salado
Battle of Salado Creek (1842)
The Battle of Salado Creek was a decisive engagement in 1842 which repulsed the final Mexican invasion of Texas. Colonel Mathew Caldwell of the Texas Rangers led just over 200 militiamen against an army of 1,600 Mexican Army troops and Cherokee warriors and defeated them outside of San Antonio de...
as Second Lieutenant with Mathew Caldwell's resistance forces.
Businessman and politician
In 1846, Guadalupe CountyGuadalupe County, Texas
Guadalupe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 89,023. It is named for the Guadalupe River. The seat of the county is Seguin. It was founded in 1846....
was organized through efforts by Swift. Swift would serve as the first Texas State Representative for Gonzales-Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County, Texas
Guadalupe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 89,023. It is named for the Guadalupe River. The seat of the county is Seguin. It was founded in 1846....
and had introduced the bill that organized the new county. He was married to Margaret Baker, daughter of Judge James McCulloch Baker, and they soon had 4 children. They had a limecrete style home built in Seguin, Texas, operated a ferry on the Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
and ran a general store in the town. He was also influential in the organization of the schools and First Baptist Church of Seguin. In 1855, his real estate and merchandise holdings were estimated to be worth around $250,000.
Later life
Swift's first wife died around 1853 and in February 1855, Swift would marry Philadelphia Borden, the daughter of Gail BordenGail Borden
Gail Borden, Jr. was a 19th century U.S. inventor, surveyor, and publisher, and was the inventor of condensed milk in 1853.- Early years :...
, however tragedy struck again and a month and ten days later, in April, his life was taken by a fever. James McCulloch Baker was appointed as administrator of Swift's estate, by the Guadalupe County Court
County Court
A county court is a court based in or with a jurisdiction covering one or more counties, which are administrative divisions within a country, not to be confused with the medieval system of county courts held by the High Sheriff of each county.-England and Wales:County Court matters can be lodged...
. The Baker family would care for and raise the Swift children. Arthur Swift was buried in Vaughan Cemetery, in Seguin, Texas.