“M” is for McSweeney, Miles Benjamin (1855-1909). Governor. A native of Charleston, McSweeney eventually settled in Ninety Six where he was co-publisher of the Ninety Six Guardian. He later moved to Hampton and started the Hampton County Guardian. He was active in local politics. In 1894 he was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives. In 1896 he was elected lieutenant governor and re-elected in 1898. Upon the death of Governor Ellerbe, McSweeney was elevated to the governorship in 1899. In 1900 he won election as governor, but his tenure was disappointing. He failed to get the legislature to increase funding for public education. His defense of the corrupt state liquor dispensary system drew the ire of prohibitionists and progressive Democrats. Miles Benjamin McSweeney never held another public office, but remained active in Democratic Party politics.
“M” is for McSweeney, Miles Benjamin (1855-1909)
