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Miles Benjamin McSweeney(April 18, 1855 – September 29, 1909) was the 87thgovernor of South Carolinafrom June 2, 1899, to January 20, 1903.
Miles Benjamin McSweeney | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 87thGovernor of South Carolina | |
| In office June 2, 1899 – January 20, 1903 | |
| Lieutenant | Robert B. Scarborough James H. Tillman |
| Preceded by | William Haselden Ellerbe |
| Succeeded by | Duncan Clinch Heyward |
| 62ndLieutenant Governor of South Carolina | |
| In office January 18, 1897 – June 2, 1899 | |
| Governor | William Haselden Ellerbe |
| Preceded by | W.H. Timmerman |
| Succeeded by | Robert B. Scarborough |
| Member of theSouth Carolina House of RepresentativesfromHampton County | |
| In office November 27, 1894 – January 12, 1897 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 18, 1855 Charleston, South Carolina,US |
| Died | September 29, 1909(aged 54) Baltimore,Maryland, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Washington and Lee University |
| Profession | Newspaper editor |
Early life and education
editBorn inCharleston,McSweeney's father died when he was four years old.[1]He started working at a young age to help support his family, as apaperboyand a clerk in a bookstore.[1]He became corresponding secretary of the Columbia Typographical Union.[1]
He studied at evening school and earned the Typographical Union of Charleston Scholarship to attendWashington and Lee UniversityinLexington, Virginia,but later had to withdraw due to lack of funds.[1]
Career
editMcSweeney served in the state militia with the rank of major, and was later promoted to lieutenant colonel.[1] In 1877, he started publishing theNinety-Six Guardianat the age of 22, and moved toHamptontwo years later to start theHampton County Guardian.[1]
In 1894, McSweeney was elected to theSouth Carolina House of Representativesand additionally served as the chairman of theHampton CountyDemocratic Party.[1]He successfully ran forLieutenant Governorin 1896 and was elevated to thegovernorshipfollowing the death of GovernorWilliam Haselden Ellerbeon June 2, 1899.[1]
A proponent of thestate Dispensaryand backed by SenatorBen Tillman,McSweeney won a term on his own in thegubernatorial election of 1900.[citation needed]However, many in Hampton were in favor ofprohibitionand theHampton County Guardianlost advertising revenue and subscriptions because of McSweeney's support of the Dispensary.[citation needed]
Later life
editUpon the completion of his term as governor in 1903, McSweeney returned to Hampton and continued as editor of theHampton County Guardian.[citation needed]
He died inCharlestonon September 29, 1909, and was buried at Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.[1]