E. Leroy Sweetser

Elbridge Leroy Sweetser (September 25, 1869 – January 26, 1951) was a Massachusetts attorney, politician, judge, and military officer. An 1897 graduate of Boston University School of Law, he became a successful attorney in Everett. A Republican, Sweetser served as judge of the district court in Everett and Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries. He was a longtime member of the Massachusetts National Guard, and served as Adjutant General of Massachusetts during World War I.

A native of Medford, Massachusetts, Sweetser graduated from the Chauncy Hall School and Boston University School of Law, and practiced law in Everett, Massachusetts. A Republican, Sweetser served as an alderman and special justice of the Everett district court, and was the state's Commissioner of Labor and Industries from 1919 to 1931.

Sweetser served in the Massachusetts National Guard from 1893 to 1919, and advanced from private to brigadier general. After Spanish–American War service as an enlisted soldier, Sweetser received his commission and advanced through the ranks as commander of units including 8th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and the Massachusetts National Guard's 2nd Brigade. He led his brigade on the Texas-Mexico border during the Pancho Villa Expedition, and served as Adjutant General of Massachusetts at the start of World War I. Sweetser commanded brigades during their wartime organization and training, and retired from the military at the end of the war.

In retirement, Sweetser continued to reside in Everett. He died in Everett on January 26, 1951. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.

Early life E. Leroy Sweetser was born in Medford, Massachusetts on September 25, 1869, the son of Elbridge L. Sweetser and Hannah (Simson) Sweetser. He attended the public schools of Everett, then graduated from the Chauncy Hall School. He was admitted to the bar in July, then started to practice in Everett.

Civilian career In addition to practicing law, Sweetser was involved in local politics and government. In December 1897, he was elected to Everett's board of aldermen.

In November 1919, he was appointed to a three-year term as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries, and he served in this post until 1931. In 1926, he was elected a trustee of the Boston Five Cents Savings Bank. In addition, he was a director of the Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank. In 1936, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for a seat in the Massachusetts Senate.

Sweetser was a special justice of the district court in Everett for nearly 25 years.

Military career In March 1893, Sweetser enlisted in the Massachusetts Militia when he joined Company L, 5th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Between 1893 and 1898, he earned promotions to corporal and sergeant. The regiment organized and trained at Camp Dalton in Framingham until September, when it was assigned to Camp George Meade, Pennsylvania for additional training. In November, the regiment was posted to Camp Wetherill near Greenville, South Carolina. After serving with Company E, 5th Infantry, Sweetser was appointed judge advocate of Second Army Corps. When army leaders determined that the need for volunteers had ended, 5th Massachusetts soldiers began to receive discharges, and the regiment was officially mustered out in March 1899. In March 1908, Sweetser was promoted to colonel as commander of the 8th Massachusetts Infantry. He retired from the National Guard as a brigadier general, but remained active in military and veterans affairs.

After the war, Sweetser was an early member of the American Legion. In addition to commanding the post in Everett, he was a delegate to numerous state and national Legion conventions. Among Sweetser's other post-First World War activities was a term as president of the Massachusetts National Guard Association. In addition, he frequently took part in parades and other celebrations, often as a featured speechmaker. Sweetser was also a longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They were the parents of a son, attorney Howard R. Sweetser.