October 30, 1847 – March 15, 1929
Byron K. Sweetland came to the Tulare county area in 1874. For 21 years he was a member of the firm of Fox & Sweetland, the principal merchandising firm of Lemoore at that time. The business was dissolved in 1901. He kept the business while Joel Fox kept the ranch east of Lemoore. He eventually sold his interests to William Scally and retired from active business life.
He married Laura Ellen Moore, a daughter of Dr. Lovern Lee Moore, in Sturgis, St Joseph County, Michigan, on January 2 1871. She died on August 22, 1907 of pulmonary tuberculosis in Fresno, California. They had two daughters, Mabel Ellen and Eulavelle.
Sweetland was a member of the Fox and Sweetland orchestra where he played the guitar. Other members included Lynn Fox, son of Julius and Emma Fox, violin; Edwin Pattee, coronet; and A. S. Mapes, guitar, among others. The orchestra played at many events throughout the county.
Byron K. Sweetland, passed away at the home of his sister, Mrs. Orrie Wonder, in Pasadena, Friday, March 15, 1929. His death followed an illness of about a week’s duration. He was 81 years of age.
The remains of the pioneer was shipped to the Phipps Mortuary at Lemoore, where the funeral was held Tuesday afternoon March 19 at 2 o’clock. The services were officiated by the Welcome Lodge, No. 255, F. and A. M. of Lemoore, of which he a member. Cremation will follow.
He is buried in the Lemoore Cemetery in Section 1, Block 9, Lot 3 – 4.
Their daughter Mabel Ellen married Julius Theodore Boysen in Lemoore, California on February 11, 1900. They owned and operated Boysen Studio in Yosemite Valley from about 1900 until Mrs. Boysen died in 1943. The Boysen Studio was one of the first photography businesses in Yosemite Valley