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John R. Sweney

1837 - 1899 Composer of "HE WILL GATHER THE WHEAT" in The Church Hymnal John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy. Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker. Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission

M. H. McKee

1879 - 1955 Author of "He will gather the wheat in his garner" in The Garner Martin Hall McKee, known as Mark, born in Texas, died in Texas Dianne Shapiro, from Find a Grave website (accessed 6/20/2022)

Harriet B. McKeever

1807 - 1887 Person Name: Harriet B. M'Keever Author of "He will Gather the Wheat in His Garner" in The Great Awakening McKeever, Harriet Burn, b. at Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 28, 1807, and d. at Chester, in the same State, Feb. 7, 1887. She was engaged in educational work in Philadelphia for many years, and was associated with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in that city. Her hymns, written in some instances for use in St. Andrew's, were collected and published as Twilight Musings, in 1857. From this volume we find that "Jesus, high in glory," p. 1574, ii., was written by Miss McKeever. [Rev. John Brownlie] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)