Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-06-08
paper known as the Gazette. This was

pHper known 40 Tie Gazette. IHlS was
In 1861. x .&#st
McSweenoy afterwards worked for
Bii.ko & Ford, JOB piiuters. From thoro
ne went to Edward Perry's, whore lie
completed his apprenticeship as q job
printer. At this time Washington and
Leo University, Of Lexington. Va, had
offered q scholarship to the Charleston
Typographical Union, which was to bo
awarded to tho most deserving Of tho
young men then employed In Charleston
printing Offices. BY q majority OF votes
Of mombers of tha Union young McSwec-
ney was chosen and the scholarship
given to him. On account of tho lack of
means he found that no could not pay
for his board and clothing, and was
obliged, after spending part Of q session,
to givo up his desire for collegiate edu-
cation. Like all good typos at that
Columbia Typographical Union rs cor
responding SECRETARY and afterwards rs
president.
IIo WAS among tho first to sign tho
roll for reorganization of tho Phoenix
Hook and Ladder Company, and sorvod
as secretary of tho company for q num-
Dor of years.
Mr.. McSwoonoy's record as Democrat
is we'll known, and no did faithful work
for tho party in 1916.
McSweenoy moved to Ninoty-Six, in
Abbevillo County, and commenced the
publication of tho Ninoty-Six Guardian.
This Was his first business venture. He
had capital Of 800, and purchased q
secondhand press and outfit for $500,
paying S55 cash rs first payment.
But ho had energy and was q good
workman and gavo tho people II nowsy
paper, lived economically. aud in tho
course of year ho paid every dollar
| that ho owed.
On tho 22d of August, 1870, tho first
issue of tho Hampton County Guardian
appeared and it has been published over
since by Mr.. McSwoonoy. Tho paper
has been we'll managed and is looked
upon today as ono of tho best in the
State. Mr.. McSwccney has ever been
foremost in everything calculated to
| hclp his town ana county.
ITc is regarded as ono of tho best bust
ness men in his section, and has boon
successful in every undertaking. His
progressive spirit is seen in different
parts Of Hampton, and ho has developed
and improved every lot purchased by him
| in that town.
Iio has shown his confidence in IIamp-
ton County and her people by investing
every dollar he has made in his county.
Tho school house in Hampton was
built by money loaned to tho town by a
few citizens. The resolution was offered
by Mr.. McSwecncy alta publ, meeting
and it was unanimously agreed to.
As intcndant of the town he afterwards
saw every dollar of indebtedness paid.
lIo served for five terms, and thon do
clincd reelection.
MI McSwccncy also took q prominent
part in building tho Methodist and Bap.
tist churches. lie not only contribut ted
libcrally, but solicited subscriptions in
Augusta and Charleston.
| McSwccncy has always been prominent
in politics, and has been twice honorcd
rs Il delegate to tho National Democratic
Convention.
| Al the nrSC ST. LOUIS convention in
1888 he voted for Cleveland and Thur
man, and at the Convention in July, 1896,
ho voted for Bryan and Sewall.
lie served the Democracy of his county
for ten years as county chairman, dcclin-
ing in 1894, when ho was elected to the
Legislature.
lie has always taken great interest in
the military of his State, and was on tho
stan of Gen. Stokes and Con. Moore,
with the rank of major and lieutenant
colonel, and is now on tho Governors s
stalf, with the rank Of colonel. During
the last two sessions of the Legislature
| he was chairman of the committee on
military.
Mr. NJ McSwecncy takes keen interest in
| all educational matters, and is trustee
of the South Carolina College and men,
hGr of the board Of visitors of the Cita-
del.
IIc is a member of tho Order of
Knights of Honor and the Knights of
| Pythias, and has been honorcd by both
organizations.
Mr. McSweency is member Of tho
State Democratic executive committee,
and has been for number of years. IIc
was for eight years president Of the
South Carolina Press Association.
Mr. McSwccncy was married on the
18th day of July, 1886, to Miss Matte
Miles Porchcr, and their union has been
blessed with six children. Four arc
living-thrco boys and ono girl. Tho
eldest, Miles Porcher; tho second,
Eugene Bonham; the third, Lconora,
and the fourth, William Mauldin.
/