Born: Liberty, Kentucky, 1849.Died: Indianapolis, Indiana, 1926.
Born: Liberty, Kentucky, 1849.
Died: Indianapolis, Indiana, 1926.
Is the youngest of the four sons. He and N. S. Haynes began their work in the ministry together--in May, 1868, at Kansas, Ill.--except that Mr. Sweeney had two weeks the start, which he has always held. Shortly thereafter they were invited to conduct a meeting in a near-by schoolhouse in the country. They promised a few evenings' meetings, as their joint stock of sermons would not warrant anything farther. After the meeting the first evening, they were guests of a childless couple--sincere and devout Christians. The young preachers ever afterward held them in the highest esteem and even admiration. A chapter was read, prayer was offered and the young men were lighted to their sleeping-room on the first floor. At once, the chickens, ducks and geese under the floor set up most unusual and vociferous alarms, as if disturbed by predatory varmints. The outcries soon subsided, and the theologs, having disrobed, climbed upon chairs to get into bed--it was so high. The jump into the immense depths of feathers was like a dive into the crest of an ocean wave. But they were jolly. Then, just as Morpheus waved her magic wand, a mouse scampered across their breasts, hitting Mr. Sweeney first. His cry was distressing, but did not bespeak his courage; for here was the embryo of that Z. T. Sweeney who, in after years, should vanquish any lion of German rationalism who might unconsciously devitalize the glorious gospel of our Lord. He has had wide experiences, is a charming public speaker and is a man of large mould and usefulness.