W. H. S. Sweet
W. H. S. Sweet | |
|---|---|
 Sweet in military uniform | |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 10th District | |
| In office 1868–1870 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1838 Marcy, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1890 (aged 51) Marcy, New York, |
| Party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | U.S. Army |
William Henry Seward Sweet (September 20, 1838 – August 30, 1890) was an American soldier, politician, and farmer. Born in New York and educated to be a lawyer, he joined the U.S. Army following the outbreak of the American Civil War. Rising to the rank of brevet captain, he moved to North Carolina after the conflict's conclusion and served in the North Carolina Senate. After working as a contractor in Alabama, he returned to his hometown in New York and engaged in farming until his death.
Early life
W. H. S. Sweet was born on September 20, 1838 in Marcy, New York.[1] He came from a farming family, and his father was active in local politics, at one point serving in the New York State Assembly. He was educated in local schools and the Utica Free Academy. He then attended Yale University and the Albany Law School and was admitted to the New York bar in 1861.[2] He subsequently established a law practice in Utica.[1]
Military service
Following the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted in the 146th New York Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army.[2] on September 6, 1862 and was mustered into service as a first sergeant of Company F on October 10. On January 7, 1863, he was made a first lieutenant and moved to Company B three days later. He was transferred back to Company F on January 24, 1864.[3] He was captured by Confederate forces at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864.[4] While imprisoned he was awarded the rank of brevet captain. He was released from captivity on May 6, 1865 and was mustered out with his company on July 16, 1865 at Washington D. C..[3]
Postwar activities
Following the end of the war, Sweet moved to New Bern, North Carolina and worked in the turpentine industry.[5] He sold his interest in the New Berne Turpentine Company in 1869.[6] A member of the Republican Party,[2] he was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1868,[7] serving in its 10th district seat from then until 1870.[8] He also served as a delegate to the state 1868 constitutional convention.[9][7] He delivered stump speeches in support of Ulysses S. Grant during the 1868 presidential election.[10]
Sweet later moved to Alabama and worked as a contractor building railways[5] before eventually returned to his family farm in Marcy and engaged in farming. He married Emily J. Richardson in 1869 and had four children with her.[11] Beset with ill health, he committed suicide by chloroform poisoning in Marcy on August 30, 1890.[5][12]
References
- 1 2 Leach 1906, p. 196.
- 1 2 3 History of Oneida County 1912, p. 298.
- 1 2 Brainard 1915, p. 401.
- ↑ Brainard 1915, pp. 199, 401.
- 1 2 3 "Ex-State Senator W. H. S. Sweet". The News & Observer. Vol. XXIX, no. 43. September 7, 1890. p. 4.
- ↑ "City and Vicinity". New Berne Daily Times. Vol. V, no. 152. June 29, 1869. p. 3.
- 1 2 Watson 1987, p. 433.
- ↑ Cheney 1981, pp. 447, 1109.
- ↑ Cheney 1981, pp. 845–846.
- ↑ Watson 1987, p. 434.
- ↑ History of Oneida County 1912, pp. 298–299.
- ↑ Leach 1906, p. 197.
Works cited
- Brainard, Mary Genevie Green, ed. (1915). Campaigns of the One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Regiment, New York State Volunteers, Also Known as Halleck's infantry, the Fifth Oneida, and Garrard's Tigers. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. LCCN 15009847.
- Cheney, John L. Jr., ed. (1981). North Carolina Government, 1585-1979: A Narrative and Statistical History (revised ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina Secretary of State. OCLC 1290270510.
- History of Oneida County, New York. Vol. 2. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. 1912.
- Leach, Orlando, ed. (1906). Biographical Record : Class of Sixty, 1860-1906. Boston: Yale University Class of 1860.
- Watson, Alan D. (1987). A History of New Bern and Craven County. New Bern: Tryon Palace Commission. OCLC 17398679.