BIOGRAPHIES Source:
A History and Biographical Cyclopćdia
of
Butler County, Ohio
with
ILLUSTRATIONS AND SKETCHES
of Its
Representative Men and Pioneers
Western Biographical Publishing Co.
Cincinnati, O
1882
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JAMES E. NEAL
Source: A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio -
Cincinnati, O. - 1882 - Page 5367 - Hamilton Twp. |
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JOHN
F. NEILAN, the prosecuting attorney of this county, is a native
of Ireland. He was born in Roscommon County November 18, 1845. His
parents, Thomas Neilan and Sarah Dwyer,
emigrated to this country in 1848, being . forced to that step fey the
misgovernment of the English. Mr. Neilan's family is one
of the oldest and wealthiest in the west of Ireland, whose patrimony was
confiscated by the British Government. John F. Neilan was but
three years old when his parents came to the United States, locating in
New Haven, Connecticut, and as soon as he grew old enough was sent to
school, where he received the rudiments of education.
In 1857 his parents came to the West, that boundless
field for industry and thrift, and settled in Fayette County, in this
State. There, with indomitable industry, they proceeded to clear off the
virgin forests, and get the ground ready for cultivation. From 1857 to
1866 he led the usual life of a farmer's boy, but with few of the
advantages commonly to be found in that position. His parents were very
poor, and he received no school education after he was twelve years of
age, with the exception of six or eight months in all, obtained a couple
of months each Winter, when the weather was so bad that no work could be
done on the farm.
He was, however, an incessant reader. He read every
thing, he could lay his hands on—books, magazines, and newspapers.
History, biography, and travels were his favorites, and so industriously
did he pursue his reading that he was known by all to be a well-informed
young man at the age of twenty. His love for his adopted country and his
hatred of British rule led him to pay particular attention to the
history of the United States and the Revolutionary struggle. He sat up
night after night, reading the story of the blockade at Boston, the
conflict at Lexington, the disastrous defeat at Brooklyn, the retreat
across the Jerseys, the Winter at Valley Forge, the great victories at
Saratoga and Yorktown, the brilliant campaign of Greene in the South,
and the thousand and one other facts that make up the history of our war
for self-government, with no light but that of a log fire, and alone.
In 1868 he began teaching school, for which he had
qualified himself by study. This position enabled him to keep up his
reading, and to find new books in each neighborhood. In this county, to
which he came on the 16th of March, 1866, from Clark County, he taught
for six years. While teaching he studied law, a part of the time in the
office of Judge Crane, and was admitted to practice in all
courts of record on the 13th of April, 1874. In that year he became the
editor of the Hamilton Examiner, a Democratic newspaper. He was married
on the 2d of June, 1874, to Miss Jane W. Kincaid, daughter of
Jackson Kincaid, who was born in Virginia, and Isabella
Hill, a native of Butler County. Her birth was in December, 1849.
Mrs. Neilan has proved an estimable, loving wife, and their home
has been a happy one. They have had three children, Thomas K., Mary
E., and John F., Jr. Thomas, who was born December 4, 1875,
was killed by the kick of a horse, on the 19th of July, 1881. This was
their first sorrow. Mary E. was born September 28, 1878. John
F. Neilan, Jr., was born December 28, 1881.
Mr. Neilan was elected city solicitor of
Hamilton in April, 1877, retaining the position till April, 1881. In
1879, while holding that place, he was nominated for prosecuting
attorney by the Democratic convention. Always an ardent, fearless, and
successful political strategist, he was made the especial target of the
opposition party. All the corrupting influences possible in political
warfare were brought to bear against him, but he was triumphantly
elected and served the people for two years, and for his honorable
course and ability as a shrewd, quickwitted criminal lawyer, he was
given. the nomination for a second term without opposition, and his
election followed.
Mr. Neilan ranks today with the first lawyers in
our courts. His ability as an attorney and counselor, and reputation as
a speaker, gained in many a hard fought political battle, have made him
a reputation extending far beyond the confines of his county. He is a
man of great will-power and determination, and always ready to give his
opinion on all questions, and to conceal nothing. He is faithful and
impartial in the discharge of public duties, and serves the people with
honesty and ability. His intention is to resume the practice of law at
the expiration of his term of office, and devote his whole attention to
his chosen profession.
Source: A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio -
Cincinnati, O. - 1882 - Page
341 - Hamilton Twp. |
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JACOB NIEDERMAN
Source: A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio -
Cincinnati, O. - 1882 - Page
468 - Ross Twp. |
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JOHN
NIXON was born in this county, May 8, 1837. His parents
were William and Margaret Nixon. He was married on the 31st
of December, 1861, to Margaret Lonner, daughter of David and
Jane Lonner, who was born in this county, Jan. 1, 1838. They
have four children. Linda Nixon was born Nov. 19, 1862, and
is dead. William H. was born Apr. 25, 1864; Charles
D., Oct. 29, 1868; and Mary Jane, Dec. 9, 1870. He is a
farmer. His father was in the War of 1812.
Source: A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio -
Cincinnati, O. - 1882 - Page 448 - Hanover Twp. |
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RICHARD W. NIXON
was born in Union Township, Oct. 5, 1819, being the younger son of
John Nixon and Elizabeth Taylor, both natives of Pennsylvania, of
English descent. John Nixon was one of the pioneers of
Butler County, settling on the place now owned by Charles Krouskopf
about the beginning of the century. He cleared up that place,
where he spent the remainder of his days. He was born in 1776, and
died in 1821. His wife died in 1835. Richard W. Nixon
was a pupil at the common schools, receiving an ordinary education.
he has always followed farming as an occupation. He was at home
until he was thirteen years of age, his mother then breaking up
housekeeping, when he went to live with his brother John in whose
employment he was until his marriage. That occurred on the 29th of
October, 1842. His wife is Abigail J. Ayers the oldest
daughter of Samuel W. Ayers and Mary Cox. Mr. Ayers
was born in the township, and was the son of one of the earliest
settlers. The son settled on the premises now owned by Francis
Krouskopf about 1825, raising a family of three daughters and three
sons, all now living. Mr. Ayers died March 11, 1842.
Source: A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio -
Cincinnati, O. - 1882 - Page 589 - Union
Twp. |
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WILLIAM NIXON was born in August,
1787, in Ireland, coming to America at nine years of age with his
parents, James and Jane Nixon. They remained in
Pennsylvania for some time, and then emigrated to where Cincinnati now
stands. In 1809 they removed to Butler County James Nixon
died on the 2d of August, 1825, and his wife Oct. 17, 1840.
William Nixon was married on the 11th of January, 1821, to
Margaret Dodds, daughter of Andrew and Margaret Dodds, who
moved to this county in 1808. Mrs. Nixon was born in
Pennsylvania, Mar. 18, 1800. They had nine children: Matilda,
the eldest, is dead. She was born Jan. 27, 1822; Jane Hueston
was born May 8, 1824; Margaret Taylor, July 29, 1826; James,
Mar. 4, 1829; William, Mar. 21, 1831; Anna, June 9,
1833; John, May 8, 1837; Elizabeth Pocock, July 25, 1839;
Martha Louise Weaver, Feb. 8, 1845. Mrs. Hueston
lives in Blooming Grove, Franklin County, Indiana. Mr. Nixon
was always a farmer, but served one term in the War of 1812. He
died Aug. 2, 1861, his wife still surviving.
Source: A History & Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio -
Cincinnati, O. - 1882 - Page 448 - Hanover Twp. |
NOTES:
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