Background
Schwabe was born in Arthur, Missouri in Vernon County son of George Washington Schwabe and Emily Ellen (Mose) Schwabe.
United States representative lawyer politician
Schwabe was born in Arthur, Missouri in Vernon County son of George Washington Schwabe and Emily Ellen (Mose) Schwabe.
He attended public schools in his hometown. In 1910, he graduated from the law department at the University of Missouri.
He was admitted to the bar the same year and began to practice law in Columbia, Missouri. In 1911, Schwabe moved to Nowata, Oklahoma, and began to practice law there. He successfully ran for mayor of Nowata and served in that capacity during 1913 and 1914.
He began his service in state government in 1918 when he represented Nowata County, Oklahoma in the State House of Representatives.
He served as House Speaker in 1921 and 1922. He was the last Republican to serve in this capacity until 2005 when Todd Hiett was elected (there have only been three Republicans to serve as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives).
Following his term in the State House, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and stepped away from public service while continuing to practice law. From 1928 to 1936, he was the chairman of the Republican county committee.
In 1945, he decided to return to politics when he successfully ran for Congress, representing Oklahoma"s 1st congressional district.
From January 3, 1945, to January 3, 1949, he served in the 79th and 80th United States Congress, losing to Dixie Gilmer in 1948. He was reelected in 1950 to serve in the 82nd United States Congress from January 3, 1951 until his death. During his time in office, he served on the Appropriations Committee.
On April 2, 1952, while still in office, Schwabe died at age 65 years, 251 days, in Alexandria, Virginia.
He is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma