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Anna “Gwendolyn” Sweeney

 

Born: 10 Sep 1907, Edgerton, WI

 

Parents: Hugh Thomas Sweeney and Mary Frances Joyce

 

Siblings:  Hazel Agnes,  George H.,  Paul E.,  Mary Magdaline (twin-died 1 month of age) , Katherine Elizabeth (twin-died 3 weeks of age),  Miles Clement “Mick”,  Alice Genevieve,  Ruth Veronica,  Marie

 

Marriage:

#1 to Thieron Miller 3/19/1925 in Edgerton

 

#2 to William B. Mills 2/22/1938 in Iowa

 

Children with Theiron Miller: Jacquelyn Ann (1927-) and Thieron Gerald (now Gerald William) (1929-)

 

Child with William B. Mills: Mary Catherine (1945-)

 

Death: 9 Oct 1996, Beloit, WI. Gwendolyn had kidney cancer which spread to the bone after many years, causing a fracture in her leg. She would have not been able to walk without surgery, which would not have suited her spunky disposition well. Given her age and health, surgery was risky, so it was difficult to decide which course was best. Gwendolyn decided to go ahead with the surgery to put a metal plate in her leg, but died at the age of 89 on the operating table.

 

Obituary:  Janesville Gazette Oct. 10, 1998                        

Mrs. Gwendolyn Anna Mills, age 89, Of Milton, formerly of Janesville, died Wednesday evening, Oct. 9, 1996 at Beloit Memorial Hospital. The daughter of Hugh and Mary Joyce Sweeney was born in Albion Township on September 10, 1907.  Her first marriage was with Theron Miller.  He preceded her in death in 1930. Her marriage with William B. Mills began in 1938 and he predeeded her in death in 1974. Mrs. Mills attended Edgerton Child High School and was one of the first women licensed as a realtor in Wisconsin. She formerly owned and operated Mills Realty in Janesville until retiring in 1978. She was a model in Chicago during the early 1930’s and the All Star Football Game Queen in Chicago in 1934. She was the chairperson of Rock County Democrats during the Roosevelt years and chairperson of the Women’s Division, Rock County National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and also served as a member of the National Youth Administration during the 1940’s. Gwendolyn enjoyed being stylish and was proud of her Irish heritage. Loved survivors include her children: Jacqueline (Eugene) Loucks of Beloit; Mary (Kenneth) Noller of Shrewsbury, MA and Gerald (Virginia) Mills of Janesville; 16 grandchildren, Charlie, Vickie, Vonni, Veronica, Martha, Jennifer, Katy, Matt, Monica, Michael, Tim, Amy, Lisa, Ken Jr., Christopher and Kevin; 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Marie (Dr. Rolf) Quisling of Middleton; and many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. In addition to her husbands, she was predeeded in death by brothers George, Paul and Miles Sweeney and her sisters Hazel Dampman, Alice Fess and Ruth Harvey. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, Oct. 26 in St. Joseph Catholic Church with FAther Francis Schmidt officiating. Private interment will be in the family plot at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

 

Misc:

“Fond Memories of Gwendolyn A. Mills” Appeared in the Edgerton Reporter 10/30/1996, written by Lawrence Burdick.

Gwendolyn A. Mills, 89, whose obituary ran in the October 16, 1996 issue of the Edgerton Reporter, was at one time, one of the most beautiful young women in Edgerton. She was one of five Sweeney sisters who lived on a farm about a half mile beyond Racetrack Park and well outside the city limits, so they drove back and forth to school by pony cart, and I fell hard for her when I was in second grade. Her obituary in the Reporter  told how Gwendolyn was a fashion model in Chicago in the 1930’s and Queen of the 1934 All Star football game at Soldiers Field, and I would like to add a little to that. She had three older sisters and one younger sister, none of whom ever lacked for admirers. All the boys on the west side of Edgerton, The Wallmows, Burdicks, Scharfenbergs, Johnsons, Emil Kepp, were smitten by the Sweeney sisters, but we didn’t know how to act, so we blew it. I once wrote a little poem about that called Saunders Creek:
                                      Saunders Creek
                    Each summer day we boys would swim
                    And always in the nude
                    ‘Twas just the way that things were done
                    Nobody thought it crude.

                    Our favorite spot was where the creek
                    Runs underneath the road
                    Where every day across the bridge
                    Those pretty sisters rode.

                    Two frisky ponies trotted by
                    Hitched in a handsome cart
                    Those lovely girls that held the reins
                    They darn-near broke my heart.

                    Our belly-flops and cannon balls
                    Drew not the slightest sign
                    They thought we were ridiculous
                    We thought they were divine

That’s Gwendolyn shown above in the pib hat and her younger sister Marie holding the reins. The pony on the right was named Dexter and was bought by Mr. Sweeney from my father-in-law, Gus Owens. About 10 years ago, a fire wiped out most of the downtown Edgerton area and Norman Burdick tells about that in an issue of the Reporter from that time; he says:
The first A&P store in the building, and Eddie Lee was one of the first managers to run the operation. I don’t recall all of his helpers, but I do recall that Gwendolyn Sweeney worked there on the occasion when she mistakenly gave me too much change from my purchases for my Mama … I believe it was an extra dollar. Now the Sweeney girls were so pretty and shapely, and also, so well dressed that at about eight years of age I was just overwhlemed by this lovely girl and I went back to the store (after I had fought off the temptation  to keep the money) and told her of the mistake . . .  I don’t recall anything further, though I’m sure I was given a reward of some kind. I’m happy to say I’ve been a sucker for pretty girls all my life, and there have been pretty girls in my life for many, many years.

 

Census:

1930 WI Census, Rock Co, Janesville:
Thieron Miller
Rented for $30 month. Parents of both husband and wife born in WI. Owned a radio. Current age 23, married at age 19. Worked as an electrician at “Elecrtric Shop”; Gwendolyn, age 22, age at marriage 17; Theiron Gerald, son, age 9/12; Jacqueline, daughter, age 3

 

1920 U.S. Census, Dane Co, Albion Township (listed as Sweeny, not Sweeney): (enumerated 1/1/1920)
Hugh T., head, owns home with mortgage, white male age 50, married, farmer on “general” farm (owns).
Mary E. wife, age 50, Paul E., son age 22; Miles G, son, age 14; Alice G, daughter, age 17; Ruth B. daughter, age 14; Ana G daughter, age 11; Marie J. daughter, age 9.

 

1910 U.S Census, Dane Co, Albion Township: (April 27th)
Hugh T. Sweeney, head of house, married, white male, age 43. Married 20 years. Born WI, both parents born Ireland. Tobacco dealer. Owns home, no mortgage.
Mary F., wife, age 41, 9 children born, 7 alive. Born WI, parents born in Ireland. George H., son, 18 years old, single.; Hazel A., daughter, age 16; Paul E. son, age 14; Miles C., son age 10; Alice G. daughter, age 7, Ruth, daughter, age 5, Anna G., daughter, age 2

 

Sweeney Family circa 1908

Back row standing L-R: Paul, George and Miles Jr.        Sitting: Hazel, Ruth, Hugh, Gwendolyn, Mary and Hazel (Marie is not born yet)

 

St. Patricks Day wasn’t complete if Grandma didn’t dye her white hair green. Back in the days before hair dye of every color, Grandma got out the green RIT dye or green food coloring and used it on her hair. We all loved it! It took several months to wear out completely.

 

Circa 1937

License plate on car is US Govenrment plate

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