Hon. Martin P. Sweet, deceased, was born in Central New York. He removed to Winnebago County IL in 1837. At that time he was a licensed preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and while living on his farm near what is now the site of Pecatonica Village, devoted part of his time to preaching. In 1840 hem oved to Freeport and opened a law office, and from that time dates his public career.

Mr. Sweet was a man who had a wide reputation as one of the most eloquent orators of the day in the forum, the pulpit, or on the stump. Zealous, earnest, full of enthusiasm, throwing himself with his whole soul into whatever he undertook, he was one who carried with him by his impassioned eloquence all who listened to him. Perorations fell from his lips equal to the best effort of the best orators of the land. From 1840 to the last year of his life he participated prominently in every political campaign of importance. In 1840 no voice was more eloquent than his, and none did more excellent service in behalf of the Hero of Tippecanoe. In 1844 his influence and ability were recognized by the Whig party, by putting him in nomination for Congress in his district against Mr. Hoge, then loco-foco incumbent. In all the counties outside of Hancock Mr.Sweet had 346 majority; Mormonism in Hancock gave Hoge 1,441 majority and thus again elected him. In every election from that time until 1850 Mr. sweet stood prominent in the ranks of the Whig party in the district, and was an acknowledged leader and champion.

Ever at his post where duty called and danger threatened, he proved himself a true and tried man. In the noted campaigns of 1840, 1844 and 1848 he had proved himself a host, helping to secure all the triumphs gained, and in the moment of disorder and defeat, by his trumpet-toned eloquence, calling back and rallying his scattered legions. In 1850 he was again chosen as the leader of the whigs in his district, and made a gallant fight. His nomination was hailed with enthusiasm, but the odds against him were too great, and he was again doomed to defeat. Nothing daunted by his want of success and though never receiving an office or public trust of any kind, from that time onward he was always found ready at the bugle call to lend his aid in behalf of liberty and justice. In 1852, 1856 and 1860 especially, he labored hard and patriotically. His sympathies were always with the oppressed and down-trodden, and his labors earnest and consistent in behalf of self-made men. The architect of his own fortune, he won his way ot the prominent position he occupied by noble endeavors.

At a bar meeting held immediately after his death, among others, the following eloquent eulogy to his memory was delivered by the Hon. Thomas J. Turner, a contemporary in his profession.

"It is difficult for me to find words ot express what we all feel on this solemn occasion. Hon. Martin P. Sweet is dead. We shall not again hear from his lips the burning eloquence that in times past has thrilled the Court and bar, as he held up to view the enormities of crimes which he had been called upon to prosecute; or the melting pathos with which he captivated the sympathies of jury and people, while defending those he regarded innocent. Few men ever possessed that magnetic power which chains an audience, in a greater degree than did our departed friend.

"It is not alone at the bar that he has left his impress as a leading mind. In the arena of politics, and in the sacred desk, he was alike conspicuous. Logical in argument, terrible in invective, and quick in repartee, he carried the judgments of the jury or an audience; or failing here, his quick sympathies and deep pathos led them along against the convictions of judgment. Such was Martin P. Sweet as an orator and an advocate. A self-made man, he surmounted difficulties which would discourage and defeat others and reached a position at the bar second to none, and established a reputation as an orator of which any man among us might well feel proud.

"But it is not as a public or professional man alone that we mourn him today. Mr. Sweet immigrated to Winnebago County in this State in the year 1838, where with his own hands and the help of his wife, he erected a comfortable log house, and there entered upon that chimerical course of life of almost every lawyer, has held out the promise of case, self culture and intellectual enjoyment - the life of a farmer. But he soon found that the fields would not yield a harvest with incessant toil, and that calves and pigs did not spring indigenous from the soil, and in 1840 he left his farm and removed to Freeport, where he remained, with the exception of two or three years he was in the ministry, until his death.

"On opening an office in Freeport, he soon secured a remunerative practice, and took a first rank at the bar throughout the circuit. His services were sought after wherever important cases were to be tried, or legal ability was required. Among the traits of character which endeared Mr. Sweet to the members of the profession, were his urbane manners, his nice sense of professional honor, and his kind and courteous bearing toward those who were opposed to him. In these respects he has done much to elevate the standard of professional ethics.

"In private life he was generous and urbane, and had many friends, with few, if any, enemies. In his death, the bar has lost one of its brightest ornaments, the city a good citizen and zealous friend, and the county and State an able defender of their rights. For all these we mourn him. There is still another circle that mourns him with a deeper grief - the charmed circle of home. The sorrow which reigns there is too sacred to be spoken of in this place. With closed eyes and silent lips, all that was mortal of our friend sleeps just where he desired his last sleep should be - beneath the green sod of this beautiful prairie land, which in life he loved so well; while his spirit we trust has entered upon higher and holier joys, and more sublime pursuits than this earth affords.

"Let us, my brethren of the bar, while our eyes are suffused with tears, and our hearts bowed iwth sorrow over his grave, resolve to emulate his virtues, to follow his example, and avoid and forget his faults, if he had any, so that when our work on earth is done and when our names may be mentioned, as the name of our departed friend is mentioned today, with bated breath and choked utterance, it may be said of us, "our work is finished; it is well done."

In response to Mr. Turner's eulogy, the Judge said in substance, that during the 16 years he had been on the circuit bench, he had known Mr. Sweet as a member of the bar, and as an effective speaker and legal orator he had no superior and at times he was the leading genius, outstripping all others in his judicial circuit. That "it is probable we shall never look upon or hear his like again. The thrilling tones of that voice, so powerful, so charming and so eloquent, have died away forever to the natural ear, but still we hear the echoes in the chambers of the soul. And hereafter, when we think of Mr. Sweet, it will be in connection with some great effort we have heard him make in by-gone years, and the sensations we felt then will again rush over the soul. Thus will he speak back to us from the world of the departed. And today, while sitting here on this accustomed bench, I seem to hear his utterances over again, as we all do, but they are more solemn and impressive because now they have the momentum of eternity added to that of time. May we emulate his virtues and be prepared when our change comes."

Transcribed by Christine Walters
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographica Pg 691