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"Richard Kellogg Swift taken from age 50 yrs old Brigadier General of Illinois State Militia."
Brigadier General Richard Kellogg Swift
Richard Kellogg Swift was born in Owasco, New York on August 28, 1813. His parents were Jarvis and Jerusha (Kellogg). Both families were early American stock dating back to the 1630's. In 1835 he married Melissa Tibble and they had 3 daughters and 1 son (Prudence, Corinne, Frank and Kate)
The family moved to Chicago in 1835 and R.K. began a Loan and Pawnbroker Shop on Dearborn and Lake Street. He began a successful banking business calling it Swift Brothers which was built at the corners of LaSalle & Randolph Streets. R.K. had a very successful banking business after the "Civil War" and by his obituary was highly respected by his peers and was known as a philanthropist.
The Illinois State Militia has on its list for 1846 to 1853, Captain R.K. Swift who commanded an artillery unit named the Chicago Hussars and Light Artillery Battery. It is noted that he helped to finance and equip the unit, which he presented to the state government for service. It was also known as the Swift’s Artillery Company. This unit is later called the Chicago Light Artillery by 1860.
In 1855 the Governor of Illinois, W.H. Bissell, appointed Swift to Brigadier General of the 2nd Brigade, Sixth Division, of the Illinois Militia. His first command assignment was when Mayor Boone of Chicago requested help from the state to have the State Militia (which is now called the State National Guard) disperse the rioters in Chicago during the
Lager-Beer riots in 1855 to 1856.
In 1856, Major Ellsworth, of national fame, aided General Swift in organizing military companies in the city and surrounding cities. Citizen groups of militia men would organize and establish militia units for the purpose of drilling and being equipped for possible military action in defending the state from invasion or civil insurrection. This hysteria was caused by the recent activities of certain southern states attempting to secede from the union.
On the outbreak of the Rebellion, April 12th 1861, the forces of the Confederate States of American fired upon and aggressively seized a federal government installation. The loyal states were called upon by President Lincoln to provide troops. Governor Yates of Illinois instructed General Swift to take command of Cairo, IL. His force of an estimated 595 men from the militias of Chicago and surrounding areas boarded two trains and took possession of Cairo. The U.S. Army sent Colonel Prentice to relieve him. General Swift returned to Chicago and was instrumental in recruiting volunteers in Illinois for the war.
In the late 1870's to 1880 as his health began to decline the family moved to Custer County, Colorado and then to Lawrence County Missouri where General R.K. Swift died on September 23, 1883.
From Major Ellsworth letters:
From the text: “This display would have been impressive enough by itself, but the effect was heightened by the squad’s instantaneous, often staccato response to shouted commands from its leader, Major Ellsworth"
From Randall: "By December, 1857, he was being addressed as Major Ellsworth, for that devoted friend General R. K. Swift, whom he had affectionately described as 'bluff, hearty, and good natured,' had appointed him an aide on his staff with this rank." ( http://www.theintimateworldofabrahamlincoln.com/Chapter6.htm )
Information on General Swift and the Chicago Hussars and Light Artillery Battery (Taylor's Battery)-
http://www.taylorsbattery.org/Early%20uniform%20study%20of%20the%20cla.htm
Final Report of the Military Expedition from Chicago to Cairo -
http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/orders2.html
History of A. G. Becker & Co -
http://agbecker.us/RKSwift.php
History of Chicago by A.T. Andreas -
(If anyone has information concerning R. K. Swift and family, please contact this website.)
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