History of
Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Union
Publishing Co., 1884.
S
J. H. Sweney
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.
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