Bassett Family Association Database

Henry J. Sweet

Male 1835 - 1909  (74 years)


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  • Name Henry J. Sweet 
    Born 1835 
    Gender Male 
    Died 1909 
    Buried UNKNOWN  West Berlin Cemetery Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Biographical Memoirs of St. Clair County, Michigan, 19
      Henry J. Sweet

      A prosperous farmer of Smith, Berlin township, St. Clair county, Michigan is
      the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical notice. He
      was born in the state of New York November 4, 1831, a son of Joseph C. and
      Polly (Clark) Sweet, of Dunham, Lower Canada, of which the father, Joseph C.
      Sweet, was an early settler. Joseph C. Sweet came to Michigan in the thirties
      and settled in Berlin township, St. Clair county, on an eighty - acres tract
      of wooded land, the country at that time being one vast wilderness. He,
      however, crossed the line into Macomb county, where he passed two or three
      years, but returned to St. Clair county and purchased another tract in Berlin
      township, also in the wilderness. The family sheltered itself in a diminutive
      log cabin, that had neither fireplace, chimney, door or window, and after a
      great deal of hard work succeeded in clearing off the timber from the forty
      acres tract, to which they later added a tract of eight acres. Joseph C. was a
      skillful axman, was a sure shot with his rifle, and was courageous and daring
      as a pioneer. He was a Democrat in politics and active in his support of his
      party, was a Freemason, a consistent member of the Methodist church, and
      passed away in this faith December 3, 1887, in his eighty-third year, his wife
      dying on July 12, 1892 in the eighty-sixth year of her age. To this respected
      couple were born nine children, namely; Melvina; Betsey, deceased; Chastina,
      deceased; Henry J., whose name heads this sketch; Hannah; Nancy, deceased;
      Edmund; Maria, deceased; and Alma, also deceased. The children all received
      good common school educations and Chastina and Maria became successful and
      popular teachers.

      Henry J. Sweet assisted his father on the home farm in his early days, doing
      his share in clearing off the superfluous timber, and in the winter also
      worked in lumber camps. At his father's death he took charge of the old
      homestead. March 6, 1860, he was married to Miss Harriet Allen, daughter of
      Douglas and Phebe (Conger) Allen, of Dangerfield, Oneida county, New York, who
      came to Armada, Macomb county, Michigan, in 1836, and reared one of the most
      respected families in the district. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Sweet have been
      born two children, viz: Will J., who was born September 22, 1864, and died
      February 25, 1901. He was a young man of great promise, was respected by all
      who knew him, and was the youngest member who ever served as chairman of the
      board of supervisors, of which he was a member at the time of his death. He
      had served as town clerk for some time and was supervisor for four years. His
      wife, Myrtle Gaskell, survives him, residing at Mount Clemens. The daughter,
      Effie, became the wife of Adam Mackie, who died October 29, 1893, leaving her
      with a daughter, Aubrey A. Mackie, aged nine years. Mrs. Mackie is now the
      wife of J.B. Curry. Mr. Sweet owns a well-improved farm of one hundred and
      twenty acres, and has recently purchased a one-hundred-ten-acre farm at Smith,
      which he operates. He is an active Democrat and has served as township
      treasurer several terms, and was moderator of the school for twenty-one years.
      He has always been controlled by the spirit of industry, a virtue inherited,
      no doubt, in a great degree from his mother, who was an indefatigable spinner
      and weaver of wool, not only for her family, but very often in shares with
      others. She made the clothing for the household, and was one of the most
      respected ladies that ever lived in Berlin township.
    Person ID I13711  1A William Bassett of Plymouth
    Last Modified 23 Sep 2011 

    Family Harriet F. Allen,   b. 16 Nov 1840, Armada, Macomb County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Nov 1907, Allentown, St. Clair County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Children 
     1. William J. Sweet,   b. 22 Sep 1864,   d. 25 Feb 1901  (Age 36 years)  [Natural]
    +2. Effie May Sweet,   b. 1869,   d. 1918  (Age 49 years)  [Natural]
    Family ID F05549  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart