The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-24
Tha In1e lIIehnel NReeney.

From the MARITIME Ferry heWSol 1ealeruay'
Our community was startled on We'd
nesday morning q the .rupoFs OF the
death Of our we'll known and energetic
citizen, Mr.. Michael Sweeney. Mr..
Sweeney had been in the enjoyment Of his
usual health up to Monday when he.eom.
planned Of cold, accompanied by mild
attact Of diarrhoea, the family proposed
sending for a physician, but he rejected
the proposition as absurd and but little
was thought OF it until late Tuesday
night when his wife was disturbed by his
heavy breathing, and Immediately sent q
message for Drs. S. B. West and Werlich,
but they only arrived in time TO find their
patient dead.
Mr.. Sweeney was born In Green coun-
ty, New York, on the 18th Of September,
1909. At the age Of sixteen he went to
New York City, and commenced to learn
his trade (the manufacture OtglasS-Ware),
with Blackwell & Co, After five years,
he having attained his maturity, be re-
moved to Wheeling, W, '. ;, engaged in the
glass manufacturing business in connec'
ton with his brother, Thomas Sweeney.
About 1850 Mr.. Sweeney engaged in
the rolling mill business In Richietown,
or South Wheeling, which, proving dis.
astrous, he went west to retrieve his for
tunes in 1856 or 1857, and engaged in q
commission business, chiefly stoves and
hollow ware. This not proving success
full, he went to Nebraska and engaged in
the real estate business, After remain
ing there for a short time no returned to
Wheeling and started a green glass or
bottle factory. In 1860 he came to Mar
tins Ferry, and, in connection with other
parties, purchased the factory which had
existed here for some time with varied
success, Soon the establishment began
to give evidence OF the energy and skill
Of his master spirit, and from that small
affair OF 1860 has grown the monster es'
tablishment Of the present time, the
pride Of our citizens and the largest
establishment Of the kind in the United
States. Mr.. Sweeney continued to super
intend the establishment until last Sep.
TENDER, when, owing TO the financial
crisis, the firm was compelled to sucCumb.
This failure has preyed upon his spirits
in such manner as To prevent sleep,
and his family assure us that II has been
quite common for him during the last
few weeks to spend the entire night walk
ing the floor, studying the question as to
how he might recover from his embar-
raised condition,
The deceased was recognized as one Of
the most successful manufacturers and
inventors in the western country. Many
Of his inventions have gone into general
use, among which We might mention the
substitution in very great degree Of
lime for lead, in the manufacture oil
glass, ..
Mr., Sweeney,waS the moving spirit In
getting up the new company which has
lately obtained charter, and was to be
known as the Ohio City Glass Company,
What effect his death may have on this
enterprise II is too soon 10 determine, but
in the death OF Mr.. Sweeney Martins
Ferry has lost one Of her most enterpris
ing and public spirited citizens.
Ills interesting family has our most SIN
cere sympathy in this hour Of their great
bereavement.
The funeral services will take place al
his late residence next Sabbath at !
o'clock, and will DO conducted by Rev. 7,
], Mcclure, Of Wheeling. lnterment in
Greenwood Cemetery.