VIII.-98. GEORGE GILBERT SWAIN, son of Chipman (51) and Dency (Gilbert) Swain, was naturally self-reliant, and was early taught to use that faculty. After the age of 10 he was frequently sent by his father on long journeys on errands of responsibility. In 1849 he went to Bronxville, N.Y., and was placed in charge of his uncle's farm, fancy stock, etc. Two years later he engaged in the manufacture of printing inks. In June, 1852, he went to Kentucky, and was for one year engaged in railroad building. Returning, he took charge of the East Chester, N.Y., marble quarries. In 1855 he bought a farm at Delton, Sauk County, Wis., on which he lived until 1872. In 1870-1-2 he represented his district in the Wisconsin Legislature, the latter year being a prominent candidate for Speaker, and appointed chairman of the Committee on Railroads. He was temporary chairman of the Republican State Convention of Wisconsin in 1872, and was chosen one of the presidential electors, and as such carried the vote of the state of Washington for U.S. Grant for President. Late in 1872 he entered the employ of the Chicago & North-Western Railway as lumber inspector and fuel agent, with headquarters at Baraboo, where he remained until 1881, when he was ordered to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he still holds the same position in 1896. He has, in the Masonic Fraternity, presided over Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and in 1879 was Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

He married, February 14, 1854, Mrs. Catherine J. Welbasky, born Catherine J. Masterton, April 19, 1824, of Bronxville, N.Y. She is of Scotch decent, and has the Scotch strength of will, is of lively, cheerful disposition and always doing that which she considers right and duty. Always willing and ready to give herself for others. They have no children.


"Swain and Allied Families," by William Chester Swain (1896), pp. 32-33