My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. WILLIAM McNEIL, an honored veteran of the late war, who is now living a retired life in Pinckneyville, was born in Perry County, Ind., November 5, 1837. His father, David Gregory McNeil, was a native of Pennsylvania, but removed to Kentucky, where he married Harriet Lay, who was born near Lexington, that state, and belonged to one of the most prominent families there. The father removed with his family to Perry County, Ind., where they were among the earliest settlers. Later they went to Greenville, Ohio, where the father died at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother when eighty-four years of age. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters. The eldest, J. B., a Lieutenant of the late war, is a carriage maker by trade, and resides in Ann Arbor, Mich.; James, who was also one of the boys in blue, is now express agent for the American Express Company at Greenville, Ohio; Daniel was also a soldier for about two years; Mary is the wife of Joseph Ritnour, who is engaged in fruit-growing near Madison, Ohio; and Elizabeth became the wife of I. N. Shiveley, near Greenville, Ohio, and died in 1890.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, Captain McNeil spent his early boyhood days. After attending the common schools, we find him a student in Liber College, of Portland, Ind., and at the age of seventeen he engaged in teaching. The year 1860 witnessed his arrival in Illinois. He located in Du Quoin, and the following year there wedded Mary Mead, of that place. Their only child, Mary Alice, who was an artist of fine ability, was educated in the State University at Champaign. She became the wife of Prof. M. E. Chase, one of the art instructors of the university, but died two years after her marriage.

All of the sons of the McNeil family were Union soldiers. In 1862 our subject enlisted in his country’s defense, and was assigned to Company A, Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, under command of Col. John A. Logan. After a few days he was made Second Lieutenant, six months later became First Lieutenant, and afterward was promoted to the rank of Captain. During the last year of his service he was a member of the staff of Eugene A. Carr, under Gen. A. J. Smith, General Logan and General McPherson. He participated in the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills and Black River, and in the charge on Vicksburg was wounded, as were twenty-five of the thirty-eight men under him. His Second Lieutenant was killed in that battle. He took charge in the Red River expedition, the battle of Nashville and in the capture of Ft. Blakely and Spanish Fort, serving until August, 1865.

When the war was over and the preservation of the Union was an assured fact, Captain McNeil came to Pinckneyville, and for four years was Principal of the city schools. During the succeeding six years, he was engaged in the grain and lumber business, and for six years thereafter was proprietor of a drug store. In his business dealings he was very successful, and by his well-directed and determined efforts he won a handsome competency, which now enables him to live retired, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

Although the Captain has never aspired to office, he has ever taken an active part in political matters, and has made thrilling political speeches in southern Illinois, the effect of which has been seen at the polls by an increased Republican vote. He believes his party to be on the side of the people and the one best able to advance their interests, therefore is an earnest advocate of its principles. He is a prominent member of James P. Cowen Post No. 219, G. A. R., has served as its Commander and is now Quartermaster. He has also been Master of the Masonic lodge, and has served as its Treasurer for the past eight years.