SWENEY, Guy 1876-1931

SWENEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 7/13/2010 at 23:30:32

Guy Sweney, Osage
Boy, Died at Peoria
After Long Sickness

Guy Sweney passed away at his home at Peoria, Illinois, last Saturday morning, after a long illness, death being due to a series of apoplectic strokes, and his sister, Mrs. Clinton Hill, has gone to be present at the funeral (held Monday at Peoria) and to spend a few days with Mrs. Sweney.

Mr. Sweney was born here in Osage May 20, 1876, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James I. Sweney. He grew up here, was graduated from the local high school, then went to St. Paul to take a position with the Great Northern Railroad, rising in a few years to the position of assistant general freight agent.

Seeing a future in the development in the oil business, he resigned his railroad position in 1907 and in partnership with Mr. Bartles established a wholesale gasoline, oil and grease business at Waterloo - one of the earlier independent oil companies in this part of the country.

After two years in Waterloo, he sold his interests there to Mr. Sheperd, and the business still continues there under the name of Bartles-Sheperd Oil Company. Guy went then to Peoria and, again with Mr. Bartles as a partner, established a similar business there. After a few years he and his brother, Bruce purchased Mr. Bartles' interest, and the business has since remained the Sweney Gas & Oil Company, though Bruce later left for the Pacific coast to go into the oil business there.

Besides his widow, Guy is survived by the sister and two brothers named.

[Mitchell County Press, Wednesday, September 16, 1931]