József Schweidel

[1] He began his military career in the Austrian Imperial Army in the 4th hussar regiment as a cadet, and eventually as a captain.

His military ranking rose rapidly, first appointed to colonel, and after the battle of Schwechat where he was cited for bravery by the National Defense Committee, he was commissioned as general on 28 October 1848.

After being turned over to Austrian authorities, he pleaded that he and the others be executed not by hanging but by firing squad, seen as more honourable.

Before his death he signed over his will to his wife on three sheets of paper, stating all his possessions were now hers "unless she should die of grief".

[2] His wife, Bilinska (Bilinszka) Domicella, was of Polish descent (died Budapest, 23 March 1888 at 84 years old) married him in 1827, and bore him five children, including Béla Schweidel (†1916), who also participated in the struggle for freedom and was later detained in the dungeons of Arad, but was later released.