BX August 31, 1948

Major E. Sweet, Dean of Lawyers Here, Dies

Major Edmund Sweet, K.C., LL.B., dean of the legal fraternity and one of Brantford’s best known and most highly esteemed citizens died this morning in his 89th year.  He commenced his legal practice here in 1884, and until a couple of years ago was at his office everyday – and all day when not out of the city on legal business or on war service.  He was a former Bencher of the Upper Canada Law Society.

Besides the great interest he took in matters concerning the Bench and Bar, Major Sweet was keenly interested in all that pertained to Brantford, Canada and the Empire.  He served overseas in the First World War, retiring with the rank of major, and during peace years found much time to devote to music and to church work.

Born at L’Original, on the Ottawa River, June 20, 1860, he came to Brantford as a lad of 12 years and attended the old grammar school in the East Ward before going on to the higher education that led to his entrance to the bar.

Major Sweet was for more than 40 years and active member of the legal firm of Harley and Sweet (Later Harley, Sweet and Slemin) and won high distinction as a corporation lawyer and legal adviser to many important enterprises.

He had been a member of Brant Avenue United Church since its inception and was deeply interested in all its activities.  He was a member of the trustee board and of the official board and for 45 years was the recording steward.  He was also an active supporter of the Sunday school.

His avocation, however was music – good music. He was a member of the choir of Brant Avenue Church for 40 years, was one of the founders of the Schubert Choir and a former president of that organization, which attained choral recognition in Canada and the United States.

War Service

When the First World War broke out he offered his services and helped to raise the 215th (Brant) Battalion, C.E.F., going overseas as second in command of the unit.

When the war ended he gave much of his time and talent to veteran’s affairs and was one of the organizers of the Great War Veterans’ Association, being an official of the Brantford Branch.  He continued his efforts in the local Branch of the Canadian Legion, of which he was honorary vice-president for many years.  

Major Sweet was an exemplary citizen and was a supporter of every enterprise that was calculated to benefit Brantford.

Major Sweet is survived by three daughters and one son, Mrs. J.A.D. (Marjorie) Slemin, Brantford; Miss Edith Foster Sweet, Chicago; Lt.-Col. G.E.F. Sweet, Brantford, and Mrs. G. Leslie (Katherine) Watt, Toronto.  Mrs. Sweet, the former Edith Foster, predeceased her husband in 1944.  There are also five grandchildren surviving, the Misses Edith and Mollie Slemin, David and Carol Watt and Edmund G.F. (Ted) Sweet.

Major Sweet will be resting at Thorpe Brothers’ Funeral Home from Wednesday at noon. A public service will be conducted in Brant Avenue United Church on Friday afternoon.  Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX September 1, 1948 - Editorial

The Late Major Sweet

In the death of Major E. Sweet the City of Brantford has lost a noble and distinguished citizen, who has been associated with the activities of this community for half a century. In recent years he has not been active in public life, and consequently was not so well known to the newer citizens of Brantford as to those of a former generation.

Major Sweet belonged to the influential group of citizens whose leadership laid the foundations of the present flourishing and populous city. Brantford owes more to these great leaders in industry, commerce, and in the professions, in promoting the welfare and advancement of the Telephone City than the younger generation realizes.  They laid not only the foundations of economic development and commercial prosperity, but they likewise promoted the religious, educational and social interests that have made Brantford one of the most progressive communities in Ontario.

For more than half a century Major Sweet was a distinguished member of the legal firm now styled Harley, Sweet and Slemin.  He was elected for two quinquennial terms a Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and was well known as an eminent corporation lawyer.  Moreover Major Sweet was outstanding as a churchman, and was an active official in the Brant Avenue United Church from the time of its inception.  For more than forty years he was the Recording Steward of the Official Board, and also a trustee.  He took an active interest in the Sunday school and for half a century was a member of the choir.  For fifty years he was the secretary of the Brantford Branch of the Upper Canada Bible Society.  The possessor of fine musical ability, he also contributed to the outstanding success of the Schubert Choir.

Last June he celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday in the presence of his family and a number of friends.  Hence, he passed away full of “years and honors.”  In his profession, in patriotic service, in community affairs, in his home and in his church life he was an exemplary citizen.  The Expositor joins with a host of friends in tendering sympathy to the bereaved family.

BX September 4, 1948

Men and women of all walks of life filled Brant Avenue United Church on Friday afternoon to pay final tribute to Major Edmund Sweet K.C., LL.B., dean of Brantford’s lawyers and one of the city’s most respected citizens, who died Tuesday at the age of 89.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Walter Corrie Almack.  He described Major Sweet as “a fine homemaker, a good churchman and an outstanding lawyer.”  Major Sweet was noted for his tenacity of purpose, the minister added.  “He put everything he had into every project he undertook.”

His vocation was law and his avocation music. He was a lover of his home, his children and his grandchildren.  He had been a fine churchman and for many years held important posts in Brant Avenue United Church.  He was always keenly interested in Sunday school, choir and bible class work.

The service was opened with the hymn “Unto the Hills Around Do I lift Up,” and closed by one of the Major Sweet’s favorite hymns, “For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest.”

Dr. H.K. Jordan, for many years associated with the deceased in the Schubert Choir, provided piano music and accompanied a full choir.

From a flower-banked pulpit, Mr. Almack read a number of specially chosen Scripture passages. “In the passing of this fine man, we are the losers,” the minister added to his brief tribute address.

Attending were members of Brantford City Council, the official board of Brant Avenue United Church, the Brantford Law Society, ex-members of the 215th Battalion, the unit Major Sweet served with during the First World War, and Rev. J.S. Harrington, Toronto, secretary of the Upper Canada bible Society and a friend of the deceased for many years.  Major Sweet was for half a century secretary of the Brantford Branch of the Upper Canada Law Society.

Pallbearers were C.C. Slemin, K.C., Morley F. Verity, Hedley Ross and George T. Cockshutt, all of this city and Kenneth ruddy and Morton Robertson, both of St. Catharines.

Interment was made in Farringdon Burial Ground.