Swire, Roger Phillip

Submitted by Mike Miller

Roger Phillip Swire, who holds the exacting and responsible office of treasurer of the University of Louisiana and its allied institution or department, the Agricultural and Mechanical College, is giving a most effective administration of the fiscal affairs of these splendid Louisiana institutions, and is one of the prominent and honored citizens of Baton Rouge, the capital city.

Mr. Swire was born on the plantation known as Lakeland, in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, opposite the town of Bayou Sara, and the date of his nativity was July 15, 1873. His father, Philip Swire, was born on the Island of Jamaica, British West Indies, December 2, 1827, was educated in England, where he received collegiate training, and was a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the time of his death. January 23, 1912. The father of Philip Swire was born and reared in England. and was a direct descendant of John Alexander, last Earl of Sterling. He remained in his native land until middle life, when he went to the Island of Jamaica, where h~ became an extensive planter and influential citizen.

Phillip Swire was a young man when he came to Louisiana and established his residence in Pointe Coupee Parish and later in West Baton Rouge, Louisiana. where he engaged in sugar planting and the raising of live stock. He purchased the fine Lakeland plantation in Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, and there continued his productive activities many years. He lived retired in Baton Rouge during the last several years of his life, and was one of the highly honored citizens of his adopted state. He represented Louisiana as a gallant soldier of the Confederacy during the entire period of the Civil war, and in the battle of Shiloh he was severely wounded. He was a stalwart in the ranks of the democratic party, and he perpetuated his interest in and association with his old comrades by retaining affiliation with the United Confederate Veterans. His widow, whose maiden name was Anna Kean, was born in the city of New Orleans, and now resides at Slaughter, East Feliciana Parish, at the venerable age of eighty-five years (1924). Of the surviving children the eldest is Fannie, who is the wife of George Dubroca Cade, of Baton Rouge, where Mr. Cade holds a position with the Standard Oil Company of Louisiana; Roger P., of this review, was the next in order of birth; and Sterling B., a resident of Slaughter, is in the service of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company. Eight other children died young.

Roger P. Swire attended the public schools at New Roads and a private school at St. Francisville, and later the public school at Port Allen. In 1892 he entered the preparatory department of the University of Louisiana, and in the academic department of this institution he was graduated in 1897, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Here also, as an undergraduate, he became affiliated with the Louisiana Epsilon Chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, besides having become a member of the Graham Literary Society and the Cotillion Club. In the Cadet Corps of the university he served as sergeant major, second lieutenant and adjutant, and he was a member of the editorial staff of the university paper issued by the students. In 1898 he took a post-graduate course in his alma mater, where he specialized in history and economics, and where he received the librarian scholarship. In 1898 also he was a delegate to the national convention of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was active and popular in student circles, even as he is today, and was a member of the Glee Club of the university.

After teaching one year in the high school at Port Allen Mr. Swire assumed, in 1899, the position of assistant to the treasurer of the University of Louisiana, and in this capacity he continued his effective service until he was called in 1904 to his present responsible executive office, that of treasurer of the University and the Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Mr. Swire is found loyally aligned in the ranks of the democratic party, and he is a communicant and a member of the vestry of St. James Church, Protestant Episcopal. He is actively identified with the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, and is a charter member of the Baton Rouge Golf and Country Club. He is affiliated with Baton Rouge Lodge No. 490, B. P. 0. E., and has served as its secretary. He is secretary and a member of the managing committee of the progressive Baton Rouge organization known as the Community Club, is a member of the local Kiwanis Club, and has served in the council of the local organization of Boy Scouts. He is a director of the Peoples Building and Loan Association, and an active member of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In the World war period Mr. Swire served as treasurer of the East Baton Rouge Parish Chapter of the Red Cross for its national defense fund, and was specially vital and successful in promoting the Red Cross service campaigns in this parish, and contributed his share toward the success of other war activities in his parish, including the Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army, Jewish War Organization and drives of this nature. He was likewise local treasurer of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Fund drive.

That Mr. Swire still remains in the ranks of eligible bachelors in no degree militates against his distinctive popularity in social, business and educational circles, and it may consistently be said that his friends are in number as his acquaintances.

NOTE: A signed photograph/painting accompanies this narrative in the referenced source.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 153-154, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.