My Genealogy Hound

Alexander H. McNeill is a native of Coahoma County, Miss., born May 26, 1841, and in growing up was instructed in all the details of farm life, and his years of unremitting toil have resulted in the accumulation of a fine property. He is a son of Hector and Ann Caroline (Frere) McNeill, who were born in North Carolina, September 24, 1808, and St. Mary Parish, La., July 4, 1813, respectively. They were married in New Haven, Conn., while attending college, and in 1850 removed to the State of Arkansas, which place continued to be their home until their respective deaths, the father dying in Desha County, August 3, 1872, and the mother December 6, 1880. Mr. McNeill was a farmer by occupation, a Whig in politics until the dissolution of that party, after which he became a Democrat. His wife was of French descent, a daughter of Alexander and Katherine (Hennen) Frere, and her union with Mr. McNeill was blessed in the birth of five sons and one daughter, two of whom are living: Agnes C. (wife of Robin Bynum, residing in Memphis. Tenn.), and the subject of this sketch. Those deceased are Angus F., Hector, Jr., a second son Hector and Waters H. Alexander H. McNeill was reared in Arkansas from the time he attained his ninth year, and his education was acquired in Davidson College, North Carolina. At the age of twenty-three years he began for himself, as a farmer, and although educated for the bar, he has never practiced that profession. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of Company I, Third Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, and was with Gens. Stonewall Jackson and Henry R. Jackson in the Army of Virginia. He was at Sharpsburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and the battles around Petersburg and Richmond. He was slightly wounded at Gettysburg by a minie-ball and the concussion of an exploded shell; was captured in Virginia in 1865, but soon managed to make his escape. He surrendered at the close of the war, and was released on parole, immediately returning home. July 12, 1864, he was married, in Caroline County, Va., to Miss Mary Taylor, a native of King and Queen County, Va., a daughter of Lunsford and Lucinda (Greenstreet) Taylor, who died many years since in that State. To Mr. McNeill’s marriage a family of nine children has been born, four of whom are living: Lemuel C, Adrian H., Mary C. and Angus H. Those deceased are Alexander H., Lucy A., Waters F., Mary A. and Adrian. Mr. McNeill owns an excellent farm of 205 acres in the valley of the Arkansas River, and has eighty-five acres under the plow, the principal products therefrom being corn, hay and cotton. He is also to some extent engaged in the stock business. He is a Democrat, has been county assessor, and is now filling the position of deputy circuit clerk, his office being at Watson, one of the county seats of Desha County. He is highly esteemed by those with whom he associates, is an honorable and progressive Christian gentleman, and his business, as well as his family relations, are exceptionally happy. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.