Benjamin Sweet
Benjamin J. Sweet | |
---|---|
19th district | |
In office January 1, 1861 – January 1, 1862 | |
Preceded by | Samuel H. Thurber |
Succeeded by | George A. Jenkins |
Personal details | |
Born | Benjamin Jeffery Sweet April 24, 1832 21st Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Benjamin Jeffery Sweet (April 24, 1832 – January 1, 1874) was an American lawyer, politician, public administrator, and
Sweet is also an important figure in the history of women's rights. The founding document he prepared for the town of Lombard, Illinois, stated that "all citizens" are entitled to vote. In 1891, Ellen A. Martin invoked that provision and voted, 29 years before women were empowered by an amendment to the Constitution to vote in the United States. His two daughters, Ada Celeste Sweet and Winifred Bonfils were also important figures in the history of the battle for women's rights.
Biography
Sweet was born Benjamin Jeffery Sweet on April 24, 1832, in New York City. He later moved to Chilton, Wisconsin.[1] Sweet died on January 1, 1874. He had two noteworthy daughters: Ada Celeste Sweet was a social reformer and pioneer for women serving in government office; Winifred Bonfils (born Martha Winifred Sweet) was a journalist and humanitarian.
Political career
Sweet was elected to the
Military career
Soon after the outbreak of the
On September 25, 1863, Sweet was appointed a colonel in the
This notwithstanding, Sweet would soon be lauded for "discovering" and "thwarting" a bogus plot by spies for the
Sweet resigned from the army on September 19, 1865.[2] He died from a sudden illness in 1874.
References
- ^ "Sweet, Col. Benjamin (1832-1874)". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ ISBN 0-8047-3641-3. p. 520.
- ISBN 978-1-56554-331-7. pp. 259, 261.
- ^ Eicher, 2001, p. 759