Sacramento County

Biographies


 

GEORGE SWANSTON

 

GEORGE SWANSTON.–A man of affairs who left a deep imprint on the history of the upbuilding of Sacramento City and County was the late George Swanston, wealthy landowner and cattleman, and head of the large packing-plant of Swanston and Son. He was born near Salem, Ohio, January 3, 1866, a son of Charles and Nancy (Powers) Swanston, natives respectively of the North of Ireland and of Pennsylvania. Charles Swanston moved from Ohio to California in or about 1881; and here he became a successful cattleman and the senior member of the first of Swanston and Son, continuing actively in business until his death in April, 1911, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife had passed away many years before, leaving him two interesting children: George, the subject of this interesting review; and Lillian, now Mrs. McCaslin, of Oakland.

George Swanston was reared in Ohio and received a good education in the public schools of that state. Coming to Sacramento County, California, when a boy of fifteen years, he took a course in Atkinson’s Business College, in the capital city, and after his graduation took up active business with his father, learning the cattle business in all of its details, and soon developing into a most excellent judge of stock, having acquired a keen appreciation of their value. Their business was conducted under the title of Swanston and Son; and through their combined efforts it grew to large proportions, and success crowned their efforts. They had valuable holdings on Riverside Road, and there they started a small packing-house. This grew rapidly by additions, as their business expanded; and here too they built and first cold-storage plant in Sacramento, and so became leaders in their line.

After his father’s death, George Swanston incorporated the business under the old firm name, Swanston & Son, and made plans for enlarging the business, erecting the large new packing-plant at North Sacramento, where he owned a large acreage. The plant is substantially built, and is modern and up-to-date in every way, being the largest and finest plant of its kind in the Sacramento Valley. Mr. Swanston was president and manager of the corporation; and his years of experience, coupled with his natural tact and business ability, made it a financial success. Mr. Swanston was a large landowner in Sacramento county, and also owned extensive holdings in Lake, Colusa and Yolo Counties. He was a director in the National Bank of D. O. Mills & Co.

At the home of Mr. Ward, sixteen miles north of Sacramento, on the Auburn road, in Sacramento County, on May 1, 1888, Mr. Swanston was married to Miss Jennie Ward; and their union proved a very happy one. Mrs. Swanston is a native daughter, born in Eldorado (sic) County, being a daughter of Robert and Mary A. (Slater) Ward. The father was born in England, and came out to California via the Isthmus of Panama when he was a young man of seventeen years; while the mother crossed the great plains with her parents in an ox-team train when a girl of eight years. As was usual in the early days of gold, Robert Ward followed mining for some years. Then he settled down to the more certain occupation of farming, becoming the owner of a good farm on the Auburn road in Sacramento County, where he reared his family; and there he resided until he passed on. His widow now makes her home in Sacramento. Eight of their children grew up and are living, Jennie being the second oldest.

Mr. Swanston, after having gained in a few years great wealth and influence, was not permitted to enjoy the fruits of his labor; for he passed away on July 3, 1923, mourned by his family and many friends. He was a man highly esteemed, who had given of his best efforts to develop the great natural resources of northern California.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Swanston was blessed with the birth of two children: Lillis, the wife of Harry G. Krebs, a popular business man of Sacramento; and Robert, who since his father’s death has assumed the presidency and management of the firm of Swanston & Son. Mrs. Swanston continues to reside at the family home on Riverside Road, surrounded by her children and many friends and enjoying her attendance at the Saturday Club and the Christian Science Church, of which she is a member. Mr. Swanston donated $10,000 to the city of Sacramento for the purpose of erecting a fountain to the memory of his father. This fountain will be located in the William Land Park. He was a member of the Elks and the Sutter Club; and being deeply interested in civic improvement and the progress of the county, he was an active and influential member of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. He was a man who was able to plan ahead, having a mind gifted with foresight and vision, coupled with an unusual amount of patience, while enabled him to wait for the opportune time to bring his enterprises to a successful issue. All in all, he was one of the substantial builders not only of Sacramento County, but also of Northern California as a whole.

 

 

Transcribed 2-7-07 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 398-403.  Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.


© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.

 

 

 



Sacramento County Biographies