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. 
HatTuHaway was dissolved and his brother, Epwin C. Swirt, came 
in with him to organize the firm of Swirr 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 SwirT & 
Company, with a capital stock of $300,000 and Mr. Swirr 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 Swirr & 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. Swirt 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 
Swirt & Company’s success. Mr. Swirt became heavily inter- 
terested in many other firms and 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, Louts F. Swirt 
as President, and Epwarp F. Swirt as Vice President of the 
company. 
