William Henry Seward Sweet (September 20, 1838 – August 30, 1890) was an American soldier, politician, and farmer. Born in New York and educated to be a lawyer, he joined the U.S. Army following the outbreak of the American Civil War. Rising to the rank of brevet captain, he moved to North Carolina after the conflict's conclusion and served in the North Carolina Senate. After working as a contractor in Alabama, he returned to his hometown in New York and engaged in farming until his death.
Early life W. H. S. Sweet was born on September 20, 1838 in Marcy, New York. He came from a farming family, and his father was active in local politics, at one point serving in the New York State Assembly. He was educated in local schools and the Utica Free Academy. He then attended Yale University and the Albany Law School and was admitted to the New York bar in 1861. He subsequently established a law practice in Utica.
Military service Following the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted in the 146th New York Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army. on September 6, 1862 and was mustered into service as a first sergeant of Company F on October 10. On January 7, 1863, he was made a first lieutenant and moved to Company B three days later. He was transferred back to Company F on January 24, 1864. He was captured by Confederate forces at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. While imprisoned he was awarded the rank of brevet captain. He was released from captivity on May 6, 1865 and was mustered out with his company on July 16, 1865 at Washington D. C..
Postwar activities Following the end of the war, Sweet moved to New Bern, North Carolina and worked in the turpentine industry. He sold his interest in the New Berne Turpentine Company in 1869. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1868, serving in its 10th district seat from then until 1870. He also served as a delegate to the state 1868 constitutional convention. He delivered stump speeches in support of Ulysses S. Grant during the 1868 presidential election.
Sweet later moved to Alabama and worked as a contractor building railways before eventually returned to his family farm in Marcy and engaged in farming. He married Emily J. Richardson in 1869 and had four children with her. Beset with ill health, he committed suicide by chloroform poisoning in Marcy on August 30, 1890.
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