Gustavus Franklin Swift

Gustavus Franklin Swift, Sr. was an American business executive. He founded a meat-packing empire in the Midwest during the late 19th century, over which he presided until his death. He is credited with the development of the first practical ice-cooled railroad car, which allowed his company to ship dressed meats to all parts of the country and abroad, ushering in the "era of cheap beef." Swift pioneered the use of animal by-products for the manufacture of soap, glue, fertilizer, various types of sundries, and even medical products.

24 June 1839

Born on the same birth day (24 June): Archie Roy • Betty Cavanna • Elizabeth of Denmark, Electress of Brandenburg • Julia Kristeva • Luke Chambers (footballer, born 2004) • Mercedes Lackey • Michael Tuck • Phil Hughes (baseball) • Tom Kennedy (English footballer) • Willard Maas • Yoshito Takamine

Born in the same month (June 1839): Ludvig Holstein-Ledreborg • Machado de Assis • Samuel R. Watkins • William H. Seward Jr.