Legislator Details
John B. Swainson portrait from Manual 1950 p.xvii
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Alice Nielsen of Detroit in 1946; children: Stephen and Peter.
Number of Children: 3
Background
Education:
public schools;
attended Olivet College;
A.B. & LL.B. University of North Carolina, 1951
Biographical Sketch:
Son of John A. C. Swainson. Moved to Port Huron, MI with his parents at age 2. he became a citizen and enlisted in the US Army in WWII and served with the 95th Infantry under Gen. Patton. In Nov. 1944, his jeep hit a landmine in France. The explosion severed his legs below the knee. He recuperated at Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek. He enrolled in Olivet College in 1946. He pracriced law in Detroit. He was elected Lt. Governor in 1958 and Governor in 1960; 3rd Circuit judge 1965-70. He was a Supreme Court Justice [1971-75] but resigned after a perjury conviction. His license to practice law was suspended for a time. He later became a respected mediator/arbitrator. He was president of the Michigan Historical Commission in 1987. Member: American Legion; Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; the Elks; Lions Club; State Bar of Michigan; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Naturalized US Citizen 1943. He received the Croix de Guerre; Presidential Unit Citation and a Purple Heart.
Notable Facts:
Lost both of his legs in WWII.
Senate Majority Leader in 1956.
Second youngest man *elected* governor as of 1961.
Accused of accepting a bribe as a Supreme Court Justice and though acquitted of that charge, was convicted of perjury in 1975, serving 60 in a Detroit halfway house.
His last residence was in Bridgewater or Manchester, MI.