Sweney, J.H.

SWENEY, JOHNSON

Posted By: IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/8/2024 at 17:52:41

Col. J. H. Sweney has been a resident of Mitchell County since 1855. He is by profession a lawyer and was for a time connected with the Mitchell County Bank, being one of its founders. He was born in Warren Co., Penn., Oct. 2, 1845, being the son of Hugh and Esther A. Sweney. When he was nine years of age his parents emigrated to Mitchell Co., Iowa, where they endured the hardships of pioneer life. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company K, participating in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Nashville, seige of Mobile and others. He was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, Aug. 8, 1865, at the age of nineteen, with rank of sergeant, after which he returned to Mitchell county. He graduated from the law department of the Iowa State University, and in 1881 began the practice of law in Osage, where he has since lived. In 1880 he was commissioned Lt. Colonel in the 6th Regiment, Iowa National Guards. He is a Knight Templar. He was married in 1867 to Charlotte, daughter of E. C. Johnson. They have one child living - Galil. In 1883 Mr. Sweney was nominated by the republican party to the forty-first senatorial district, composed of the counties of Howard, Mitchell and Worth, as its candidate for State Senator, and after the hottest campaign ever known in this locality, he was elected over his opponent, Hon. Cyrus Foreman (democrat) by about 700 majority.

~History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Co., 1884; pg 191

(transcription source: Iowa Biographies Project)