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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Genealogical & Biographical Record
of Miami Co., Ohio
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company
1900
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX of History Publ. 1900 >
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HENRY NEAL.
Henry Neal, who is one of the prominent and influential
representatives of agricultural interests in Miami county, was born
May 7, 1848, in Monroe township, on the farm where he now makes his
home. His father, William Neal, was born Sept.
10, 1808, in the same township, and was a son of George and
Margaret ( Million) Neal, early settlers of that locality; in
fact, Mrs. Neal was born on the old family homestead
occupied by her son Henry. She was a daughter of
Francis Million, who was born Mar. 14, 1786, and married
Jemimah Sweet, who was born Apr. 22. 1787. Their
wedding was celebrated in Tennessee, whence they came to Miami
county, where Mr. Million entered the farm upon which
Mr. Neal now resides. He built a Jog cabin and
secured from the government one hundred and five acres of land,
which was covered with a heavy growth of timber, consisting of
walnut, oak, hickory and sugar maple trees. Subsequently he
removed to the farm upon which Philip Class now
resides, and there his death occurred in 1848.
William Neal, the father of our subject, was a
youth of fourteen years when he went to that farm to work for Mr.
Million, and was employed in the fields there during the greater
part of his time until his marriage to Mr. Million's
daughter, Lucinda. The wedding occurred Oct. 23, 1828, at
which time his father-in-law gave him fifty-five acres of land of
the old homestead. He afterward purchased the remaining
fifty-five acres and upon that farm made his home until his death.
In his business affairs he was successful, and as the years passed
by he added to his property until his landed possessions aggregated
four hundred acres, and he was accounted one of the substantial
agriculturists of the community. He purchased and brought to
the county the first McCormick harvesting machine in Monroe
township, and always followed progressive methods in his farm work.
His death occurred Feb. 1, 1874, and his wife passed away Sept. 27,
1892. In their family were seven children: Melinda, who was
born July 19, 1829, and is the widow of John Perry, a
resident of Newberry township; Phoebe, who was born Feb. 22,
1832, and resides on the old homestead; Matilda, who was born
Nov. 8, 1833, and died Aug. 13, 1893; Israel, who was born
June 2, 1837, and is now living a retired life in Decatur; Anna,
who was born Feb. 16, 1839, and died June 24, 1892; William F.,
who was born Apr. 15, 1841, and is now a farmer living north of
Manchester, Indiana; and Henry, of this review. One
son, Israel, served his country in the civil war as a member
of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry.
Born and reared upon the old family homestead, this
farm is endeared to Henry Neal through the associations of
childhood, as well as those of mature years. He pursued his
education in the public schools of the neighborhood and in the
schools of Troy. He remained with his parents until his
marriage, on the 29th of October, 1867, to Miss Alsada Karns,
a daughter of Abraham Karns, both of whom were natives of
Monroe township. After their marriage the young couple began
their domestic life on another part of the old homestead, where they
remained until the father's death, when they erected the residence
in which he now makes his abode. He owns the original old
homestead which was entered by his Grandfather Million.
This was a tract of one hundred and five acres, but he has added to
it until he now has one hundred and fifty-seven acres of rich and
arable land. He purchased and brought into his neighborhood
the first self-binding reaper, and all the latest improved machinery
is found upon his farm, so that his work is carried on along
progressive lines. He has a very valuable and desirable place,
which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful
supervision.
Mr. and Mrs. Neal have no children of their own,
but adopted one son, Lee R. Wilson, who was graduated in the
township school and in the Tippecanoe High School. In October.
1899, he entered the Indianapolis Business University, but soon
afterward was called home on account of the death of Mrs.
Neal, on the 20th of Nov. of that year. Not long
afterward, however, he secured a scholarship from the Indianapolis
Young Men's Christian Association entitling him to pursue a Young
Men's Christian Association course in Chicago. This he
accepted and is now a student in the latter city.
In his political views Mr. Neal is a
Republican, and has served as school director altogether for twelve
years, although the period of his incumbency has not been
continuous. He is a worthy representative of one of the
honored pioneer families of the county, is one of the most
progressive agriculturists, and is a citizen who gives his support
in a large measure to those movements which contribute to the
general welfare and prosperity.
Source: Genealogical &
Biographical Record of Miami Co., Ohio - Chicago: The Lewis
Publishing Company - 1900 - Page 328 |
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CAPTAIN
HENRY NEAL. Captain Henry Neal
was a well-known resident of Miami county, and held in high esteem
by his fellow townsmen, for his sterling worth commended him to the
confidence and regard of all who knew him. He was born in
Monroe township, on the 27th of June, 1819, and was a son of
Henry and Jane (Woods) Neal. His early youth was spent
upon his father's farm, and the common schools afforded him his
educational privileges. He entered upon his business career as
a wood chopper, and was employed in that way for some time.
Thus he earned the first one hundred dollars ever in his possession.
Later he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, while
in the summer season he was employed at farm work and at other
employments which would yield him an honest living. For about
nineteen years he successfully engaged in teaching and also
conducted a singing school. He held high rank among the able
educators in his county, his labors being attended with excellent
results. He died suddenly of heart disease Jan. 6, 1881.
On the 14th of February, 1864, Captain Neal was united
in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Bowman, who was born in
Frederick, Miami county. They became the parents of two
children — Charles C. and Edith M. Charles C.
is a farmer of Monroe township, who married Rose K. Pearson.
They have two children, Mildred B. and Regina J.
Edith M. is the wife of John M. Davidson, of
Meadville, Pennsylvania, and they have one child, Margery
Jean.
Captain Neal was a member of the state militia,
and during the Civil war entered the Union service as first
lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio
Infantry, for one hundred days. He was promoted and
commissioned captain and with his command went to the front, where
he loyally served until the expiration of his term. He was
overheated during his service in the war, and this brought on heart
disease, so that his health was never again what it had been before
he joined the army. In March, 1865, Captain Neal
removed to Troy, where he made his home until the following fall,
when he located upon the farm in Monroe township, which continued to
be his place of abode for about a rear. He then removed to the
home in Frederick, where his widow now resides, and there he
remained until his death. He devoted his attention to
superintending and improving his farm properties. In all his
business dealings he was honorable and straightforward, and thus won
the confidence and good will of those with whom he was brought in
contact. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian
church, and in his death the community lost one of its reliable
citizens — a man whom to know was to respect and honor.
Source: Genealogical &
Biographical Record of Miami Co., Ohio - Chicago: The Lewis
Publishing Company - 1900 - Page 457 |
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