The second child of Barbra Margret Sweaney and Claybourne R.
McVey was born 22 Jan 1865 in Dallas Co., MO. He was 13 when his
mother married Abijah Bennett. In 1880 he was living with the
McVey family and listed as a laborer. He was 17 at that time.
He resided in Dallas Co. He married 14 Apr 1895 at
Freeman's Pond, Dallas Co., to Frances Armeta Cook, dau. of
Joseph S. (Dutch) Cook and Elizabeth Freeman. She was born 15 Feb
1875 in Macon Co. and died 12 Sept 1907. She is buried at Morgan
Cemetery.
She and Bill had seven children. She did not recover from the
last birth. When she died, the baby was very small and Everett's
wife, Laly, who had a baby also, took Gertie and wet nursed her
so she could live. This was the custom in those days as no one
had babies at hospitals.
Bill later married Mahala Eveline (Lina) Bramwell (nee
Hildebrand) who had been married to Joe Bramwell. She was born
25 Sept 1876, the dau. of Benjamin Franklin (Ridge) Hildebrand
and Mary Ann Adams. They had two children: Inez Bramwell who
md Ezra Voice and Oma Bramwell.
Bill was a respected member of the community. He owned
the McKee place on the Niangua and owned a farm down by camp
Aurora on both sides of the river and a piece next to Windyville.
He later moved to Windyville. The children were born next to
where Camp Aurora is located.
He inherited all of Clay McVey's land. (See Dallas Co.
Probate Book F, p. 438). Bill and Lina were staunch Republican.
His grandchildren remember that it broke his heart when Gertie
married a Democrat. He was a good businessman and was known to
be tight with his money. He raised hogs, cattle, and chickens
for grocery money.
Bill Sweaney died 2 June 1945 and is buried at Lone Rock
Cem. Lina is beside him. She died 6 Feb 1950.