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Jefferson County, IL
Genealogy

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Dr. Hardy Maxey Swift

Dr. Hardy Maxey Swift, Mt. Vernon mayor for three terms and twice a member of the Illinois State Legislature, died at 12:03 A.M., Sunday at Mt. Vernon Hospital of injuries received last Wednesday in a collision of automobiles a short distance north of this city. His age was 71 years, five months and 16 days.

Dr. Swift lapsed into a coma Friday night and physicians held but little hope for his recovery. He suffered crushing injuries to a leg and hip, fractured ribs, a chest injury and cut to his face and arms. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:30 P.M. at Myers Chapel, conducted by the Rev. M. A. Souers, pastor of the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.

The body will remain at Myers Chapel, where friends may call up to the funeral hour.

Dr. Swift was born August 29, 1870 in Jefferson County, the son of James M. and Drucilla Maxey Swift, pioneers of Illinois.

He was educated in the public schools of Jefferson County and Ewing College. In 1892 he matriculated in P. M. Medical College of Illinois and in 1895 graduated from the college of Medicine of Indiana and began his practice at Opdyke. He moved to Mt. Vernon to become superintendent of Mt. Vernon Hospital, a position he held for five years.

Dr. Swift, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Mt. Vernon in 1911. He was reelected in 1927 and after serving for two years was again elected mayor in 1929.

In 1934 he was elected to the General Assembly of Illinois as a representative of the 46th district and served two terms as a state legislator.

On September 16, 1894 he was united in marriage with Mary Alice Moss, who survives. The family home is at 1920 College. He was a member of the First Methodist church. Besides his widow, he is survived by one son, Harry M. Swift of Mt. Vernon; a daughter, Mrs. Delbert E. Veatch of Elkhart, Indiana; two brothers, Ettis Swift, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and A. R. Swift of Mt. Vernon; four sisters, Mrs. Lula Gilmore and Mrs. Stella Johnson of Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Birtie Piercy of Little Falls, Minnesota and Mrs. Sarah C. Gallenough of Toronto, Canada; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Dr. Swift was a member of Elks, Woodmen and Red Men orders, having filled all the chairs in the latter order as a state officer. He wasGreat Sachem for two years and served as Great Representative to the Great Council of the United States Inproved Order of Red Men. He was also a past president of the Mt. Vernon Lions Club.

(Note: Dr. Hardy Maxey Swift died February 15, 1942.
Information submitted by Martha Swift Foster, granddaughter.)


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