The entire town of Rocky Ford was moved from its prior location in 1884 when railroad tracks were laid through the townsite. Ford owned most of the new land where the new town was built. In 1899 he helped to found the American Crystal Sugar Factory, which remained in operation until 1979. In 1904 Swink set up and directed Colorado's agricultural and horticultural display at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Swink, appointed postmaster of Rocky Ford in 1876, was the first mayor of the town after it was incorporated in 1887, and he was a state senator for two terms. He was one of the original three county commissioners when Otero County was formed.