David Ivar Swanson (September 14, 1884 – April 8, 1950) was an Illinois state representative (Republican Party).
In 1900 at age fifteen Swanson was working as an errand boy[4] while attending Chicago public schools.
In 1910 Swanson at age 25 was living with parents, brothers, and sisters, working as an assistant buyer in a Swift's packing company, and attending the John Marshall Law School (Chicago) in the evenings.
[9] In 1912 Swanson was elected Secretary of the newly established Judicial Advisory Council chartered to study laws relating to judicial organization, criminal law, and criminal and civil procedure, and establish relationships with similar councils of other states.
In addition to his political career he built a good reputation as a lawyer in Southtown (Chicago).
Swanson found time collecting stamps, of the United States, and read American Civil War history.
Swanson's stepson, Harry Carlson said, "While other political figures were going to Hot Springs or Florida, dad traveled down the Mississippi River on a steamboat five time to observe the South at first hand."
Swanson died of a heart attack in the headquarters of the 18th ward Republican organization in the Englewood Masonic Temple on 64th and Green Streets on election night, April 8, 1950.
He worked to weed out bad proposals and got behind good ideas and pushed to make them into laws.
Upon his death the Chicago City Council passed a resolution stating, "Whereas: This city council has learned with regret and sorrow of the untimely death of the Honorable David I. Swanson, for many years a state representative of the 11th Senatorial district, and whereas, during his lifetime Mr. Swanson endeared himself to many of the citizens of the city of Chicago by his kindly and generous disposition, his sincere charity and his devotion to the cause of justice and right, and whereas his was a sympathetic and magnanimous nature revered, respected and admired by all who were privileged to know him intimately and to call him friend - Now, therefore, be it resolved that in recognition of his worth as a man and the service rendered by him in civil life, this City council do, by rising vote, recognize in solemn tribute the esteem of the citizens of Chicago of Mr. Swanson's ability; and be it further resolved that this resolution be spread upon the records of the city of Chicago....[17] Viking, Svithiod Fraternities, Nordic Law Club, Legislative Chairman Englewood Business Men's Association, South Side Real Estate Board (Chicago), Delta Theta Phi law fraternity, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, American Judicature Society, Thoburn Methodist Church, Freemason, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.