Hardress Nathaniel Swaim
Quick Facts
Biography
Hardress Nathaniel Swaim (November 30, 1890 – July 30, 1957) was a Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court and later a United States federal judge.
Born in Zionsville, Indiana, Swaim received an A.B. from DePauw University in 1913 and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1916. He was in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1916 to 1939, interrupted by service in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant from 1917 to 1918. He was Comptroller of the City of Indianapolis, Indiana from 1936 to 1947. He was a Justice on the Indiana Supreme Court from January 1, 1939 to January 1, 1945, thereafter returning to private practice in Indianapolis from 1945 to 1949.
On October 21, 1949, Swaim received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, created by 63 Stat. 493. Formally nominated on January 5, 1950, he was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 8, 1950, and received his commission on February 10, 1950. Swaim served in that capacity until his death.