On account of throat trouble Mr. Sweeney and his family went to California in 1858 and remained in that state for about four years, during which time he taught school for a year and a half at Sonoma, being principal of the female department of a Presbyterian college. In 1862 he again came north, going with the gold seekers to Clearwater, Idaho, where he devoted his time to the work of the ministry and to his duties as justice of the peace. In 1867 he removed to Umatilla Landing on the Columbia river in Oregon, where he not only engaged in preaching but also taught school. There was no organized church at that place but he was paid about six hundred dollars by popular subscription, which was the best salary he had ever received for his ministerial services up to that time. For one year he served as superintendent of schools for Umatilla county.
In 1869 Mr. Sweeney returned to California, traveling by way of the Columbia river and Pacific ocean, and during his sojourn in that state taught school under supervision of the church at Collegeville, about eight miles from Stockton, in San Joaquin county for a year and a half, and on his retirement from that work returned to Oregon, spending two years at Albany. From there he came to western Washington about 1872 and did considerable missionary work among the pioneers of this region, traveling over a large territory, more than one hundred miles in extent. He started the first Presbyterian church in Walla Walla with but two members. He preached in Waitsburg, Dayton, Pomeroy and Colfax and often held services in school houses and groves throughout the country. Failing health at length caused him to retire from the active work of the ministry after thirty-five years of most faithful service. He preached occasionally up to the year 1900. His wife was a most competent help and by her good management made the sunset of his life much easier financially. His unselfish life and devotion to the work of the Master gained him the unqualified regard of all with whom he came in contact. Although now eighty-one years of age, Mrs. Sweeney is still well preserved, being strong and active and able to do considerable work, including the care of her own garden. Her intellect seems unimpaired and she appears to be much younger than she really is. She was always a faithful wife, a capable financier and a hard worker, being able to support herself and children and secure the property which kept Mr. Sweeney in comfort during his declining years.