Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message John William (Jack) Swilling Collection 1830-1978FM MSS 28
Biographical NoteSoldier, prospector, entrepreneur, and gentleman John William (Jack) Swilling was born in South Carolina on April 1, 1830. He spent the formative years of his life in the South before enlisting in the military in 1848 and serving in the Mexican-American War. In 1854, he sustained a painful head injury that would affect him for the rest of his life. He married and had a child in Alabama as before moving West. Swilling joined the ox train of the El Paso-Fort Yuma (Leach) Wagon Road at that time and later served as captain of the Gila Rangers, a militia formed to respond to Indian attacks in the Gadsden Purchase area. In 1860, Swilling settled in the Pinos Altos area and joined the Arizona Guard. His unit was integrated into the Confederacy's fighting forces during the Civil War, but Swilling had deserted by July 1862. Swilling continued prospecting in the Gila and Hassayampa River areas and married Trinidad Escalante of Tucson in April of 1864. After numerous other mining and farming ventures, Swilling settled in the Salt River Valley in 1867, founded the first ditch company, and constructed the canals that would feed the township that was to become Phoenix. In addition to ditch construction, Swilling served as Justice of the Peace, postmaster, and president of the county's Democratic Convention. He later moved to Black Canyon and started a successful mining company before he retired, mainly due to the growing discomfort associated with earlier injuries and substance abuse issues. In April of 1878 Swilling went to exhume the remains of friend Jacob Snively for Christian burial. During this journey he and two friends were accused of an armed stagecoach robbery and held for a pre-trial hearing. Although eventually found innocent, Swilling died in custody on August 12, 1878 while awaiting trial.
Scope and Content NoteThis collection contains a variety of primary and secondary source materials compiled by historians Mark Shields and Geoffrey P. Mawn, including biographical manuscripts, research notes, articles, correspondence, genealogies, and records of military service. Of particular interest is a journal from the Phoenix Ditch Company chronicling financial dealings from 1870 to 1883. The collection is organized into two series and alphabetically and chronologically within. ArrangementThis collection consists of five boxes divided into two series:RestrictionsAccess RestrictionsTo view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability. CopyrightArizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright. Access TermsPersonal Name(s) Mawn, Geoffrey P., 1947-. Sacks, Benjamin, 1896-1971. Shields, Mark, 1890-1967. Shumaker, Trinidad (Trinidad Mejia Escalante Swilling), 1849-1925. Snively, Jacob. Stover, Elizabeth Matchett. Swilling, Jack, 1830-1878 -- Archives. Swilling, Jack, 1830-1878 -- Family. Zarbin, Earl A. Family Name(s) Swilling family -- History. Corporate Name(s) Butterfield Overland Stage Line. Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Cavalry Regiment, 2nd. El Paso-Fort Yuma Wagon Road. Phoenix Ditch Company. Geographic Name(s) Black Canyon City (Ariz.). Gila River (N.M. and Ariz.). Hassayampa River Preserve (Ariz.). Pinos Altos (N.M.). Salt River Valley (Gila County and Maricopa County, Ariz.). Subject(s) Mexican War, 1846-1848. Administrative InformationCustodial HistoryThe families of Mark Shields and Geoffrey P. Mawn donated these papers to the Arizona Historical Foundation. Preferred Citation[Identification of item], John William (Jack) Swilling Collection, FM MSS 28, Arizona State University Library. ProvenanceThe Arizona Historical Foundation transferred these materials to the Arizona Collection in 2012. Container List
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