John McSweeney was important in the history of Te Aroha mining because he assisted Hone Werahiko in the latter’s initial prospecting of the mountain. During the Te Aroha rush he invested in some claims, and later invested in the Waiorongomai field in a small way. After farming for some years, he became a publican in Te Aroha and, later, in Auckland, ending his life in a comfortable financial position. Not being a leading member of the community, little is known of his personality, although the personal life of the girl he first wanted to marry did create a brief sensation just before he married someone else.