OF THE SADDLE AND SIRLOIN CLUB 163 



refrigerated dressed beef to New England, to arrive Thanks- 

 giving morning, 1878. At this time the partnership with Mr. 

 Hathaway was dissolved and his brother, Edwin C. Swift, came 

 in with him to organize the firm of Swift Bros. & Co. 



The business of the new firm grew rapidly, its market extended 

 throughout the entire United States and even to Europe. In 

 1885, the firm was incorporated under the name of Swift & 

 Company, with a capital stock of $300,000 and Mr. Swift was 

 made president. At the time of the incorporation the company 

 employed some 1,600 men, but under his management it grew 

 until approximately 40,000 were employed at the time of his 

 death in 1903. Today the principal plants of SwiFT & Company, 

 in eleven large cities occupy nearly 318 acres, and the total num- 

 bers of employees exceeds 60,000. The capital stock has increased 

 to $150,000,000 and the distributed sales for 1918 were above 

 one and one-fifth billions. Mr. Swift made several trips to 

 England to overcome the prejudice against western dressed beef, 

 a prejudice that was partially mitigated by the disease dangers 

 in the influx of live cattle. 



The new master of the packing trade kept in close touch with 

 the branch houses of his business, and was familiar with prac- 

 tically every detail. He was a firm believer in quality and con- 

 stantly endeavored to produce the best in all his various prod- 

 ucts. He was quick to take advantage of any new idea that 

 could be applied to his business and continually studied scien- 

 tific methods of utilizing wastes and developing byproducts. 

 Economy in operation and the development of mechanical 

 refrigeration were the two principal factors contributing to 

 Swift & Company's success. Mr. Swift became heavily inter- 

 terested in many other firms an4 corporations in all parts of 

 the United States, and took an active part in numerous public 

 and benevolent activities within Chicago. He was the father of 

 eleven children and was succeeded by his sons, Louis F. SwiFT 

 as President, and Edward F. Swift as Vice President of the 

 company. 



