The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-15

Last evening at 7o'clock Hon, Andrew
j, Sweeney died at his residence on
North Main street, aged little over
sixty-six years
Mr.. Sweeney was one OF the most
prominent citizens Of Wheeling for
more than an ordinary generation past.
lie held tho office Of mayor for 4 longer
continuousperiod OF time than any other
man ever held it, and he FULFILLED his
duties through some trying times ade.
quately and faithfully. Ills death leaves
place in tho City's history vacant,
which will not likely be filled again soon,
Mr., Sweeney was born in Pittsburgh,
January l, 1899, aud was tho son OF
Thomas Sweeney, native OF Ireland,
lie came to this city with his father in
1880, where his father, in partnership
wish two brothers, bought out the es.
adjustment OF the North Wheeling
Manufacturing Company, Later tho
concern was run by Thomas Sweeney
Rne an elder son, until tn 1858, when
Andrew J. Sweeney was admitted rs u
junior partner. The firm remained
thus until 1874, when the business pass.
cd into the hands OF the younger son,
and the firms name was changed to a.
j. Sweeney 4 Son, the junior member oil
the firm being John NJ. Sweeney, A. !.
Swceney's oldest son, The business
was carried on ut the old location in
North Wheeling, until 1855, when the
firm bought the old Hamilton foundry
building, and the works were moved to
their present location in tho Sixth
ward, at tho corner OF Chaplin0 and
Twcnty.seventh streets.
In 1915 when Andrew j. Sweeney be-
came the head OF the firm the bust
ness was extended, go as to include the
manufacture OF rolling mill, steamboat
and other machinery, and agricultural
machinery and implements.
Besides being prominent in business
and financial circles, Mr., Sweeney took
u prominent part in municipal poll.
tics. For long time he was mayor
OF the city, first being appointed to fill
an uneXpired term in 1855, and he was
afterwards elected in the years 1861,
1862, 1865, 1867 and 1915, serving sue.
cessiyely from the last named year until
1851.
During tho war OF tho rebellion he
was n colonel Of militia, and served in
the field during tho famous Morgan and
Jones raids.
In 1876 President Grant appointed
him commissioner Tor West Virginia TO
the centennial exposition at Philadel-
phia. lie was also appointed, in 1873,
by President Grant as 4 commissioner
to the Vienna exposition, and in 1873
to tho great French exposition at Paris
Ilo was 4 member Of Ohio Lodge i.
Il 4. VI. No. l., Wheeling Commandery
X. T., and Osrus Lodge, Mobiles OF the
Mystic Shrine.
lie was married in lSlS to Mary r.
Moore, daughter OF John Moore, who
Tor many years was superintendent Of
the Wheeling water works. She died
in 1860, aged thirty years, leaving four
children, John ~, Nellie b., Rose ",
and Andrew \.
In 1861 Mr.. Sweeney was married to
Marie L. llama, OF Washington, Pa,
by whom he had nine children, SIX Of
whom are now living, namely Mary r.,
Willie H., Frank b., Waller g., and
james Edgar,
In his career Mr.. Sweeney saw many
vicissitudcs, politically, in the cOuutry's
history and in business way, and no
man was ever more equal to an cmcr-
gonCy than he. Some Of his official
acts will long be remem' red TO his
credit, as they showed lromp,ncss,
lirmncss and intelligence, rs well as IN.
dependence. Many people vet remcm.
Der the stormy scenes one night in 1879,
when he was mayor Of the city and the
Pittsburgh, Wheeling 4 Kentucky rail.
road company was granted the right OF
way for its Bcnwood extension. The
Baltimore * Ohio company opposed,
and realizing that the increased facility
was for tine City's good, Mr.. Sweeney,
with customary decision OF character,
throw the whole force OF his authority
in favor Of carrying out tho rights
granted by the city, and personally su.
pcrviscd the all night work OF laying
the pcwiky tracks.
lie was philosophical. and a full
record OF his useful aud long career
would oil volume Withal he was
genial. kindly man, his death is source
Of general regret in the community.