Swineford, A. P. (Alfred P.), 1834-1909

Alfred P. Swineford was born at Ashland, Wisconsin, September 14, 1834. In 1871he was elected to the lower house of the Michigan Legislature. He served two terms as mayor of Marquette and afterwards was elected to several terms as alderman and supervisor. In 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland to be Governor of the District of Alaska and held that office until 1889. Trained at an early age in the printing trade, Swineford published and edited newspapers in Michigan and Alaska, including the Daily Miner, the Ketchikan Miner, the Ketchikan Mining Journal, the Mining Journal. In 1898 wrote the book, "Alaska, Its History, Climate and Natural Resources." In 1893 Swineford was appointed Inspector of Surveyors General and District Land Office, charged with opening Oklahoma's Cherokee Strip for settlement. He died in Juneau on October 26, 1909, and is buried there in the Evergreen Cemetery.

From the description of Governor A.P. Swineford papers, 1869-1916. (Alaska State Library). WorldCat record id: 182562107

Alfred P. Swineford was born in Ohio in 1836. He became a printer's apprentice in 1851 and was thereafter involved in that field. He became a lawyer in 1857. He was governor of Alaska (1885-1889) and inspector general of the U.S. Land Office (1893-1898). He was publisher of the Ketchikan Mining Journal (1901-1905) and the Daily Miner (1907-1908). Swineford, a proponent of territorial status for Alaska, died in Juneau, Alaska, in 1909.

From the description of Papers, 1885-1949 1885-1889, 1897-1912. (UAA/APU Consortium Library). WorldCat record id: 58480718

Alfred P. Swineford was born in Ashland, Ohio, on September 14, 1834. He learned the printer's trade as a young man, and worked at his trade for a number of years in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and with the Chicago Times. He moved to Marquette, Michigan in 1867 and established the Mining Journal, which he edited until 1884.

Swineford was active in politics, serving in the Michigan House of Representatives and also serving as Commissioner of Mineral Statistics for the state of Michigan. He was chosen as a Michigan delegate to the national Democratic conventions in 1872 and 1884, and was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan.

In March 1885, Swineford was appointed Governor of Alaska by President Grover Cleveland. He arrived at his post in Sitka, Alaska in September 1885 and resigned the position in March 1889. He later held other public offices and in 1898 wrote the book, Alaska, Its History, Climate and Natural Resources. He died in Juneau, Alaska, October 26, 1909.

From the description of Alfred P. Swineford Papers, [ca. 1885-1890] (University of California, Santa Barbara). WorldCat record id: 54374399

Biography

The following information is drawn from a biographical sketch contained in the collection:

Alfred P. Swineford was born in Ashland, Ohio, on September 14, 1834. He learned the printer's trade as a young man, and worked at his trade for a number of years in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and with the Chicago Times . He moved to Marquette, Michigan in 1867 and established the Mining Journal, which he edited until 1884.

Swineford was active in politics, serving in the Michigan House of Representatives and also serving as Commissioner of Mineral Statistics for the state of Michigan. He was chosen as a Michigan delegate to the national Democratic conventions in 1872 and 1884, and was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan.

In March 1885 Swineford was appointed Governor of Alaska by President Grover Cleveland. He arrived at his post in Sitka, Alaska in September 1885 and resigned the position in March 1889.

He later held other public offices and in 1898 wrote the book, Alaska, Its History, Climate and Natural Resources. He died in Juneau, Alaska, October 26, 1909.

From the guide to the Alfred P. Swineford Papers, ca. 1885-1890s, (University of California, Santa Barbara. Library. Department of Special Collections)