My Genealogy Hound

Robert N. McNeely, the owner of 760 acres of as fine land as is to be found in Nevada County, was originally from Clark County, Ark., where he was born on March 16, 1829. His father, Thomas McNeely, was born in December, 1799, and died in October, 1858, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Griffis, died in September, 1862. They were married in Missouri and emigrated from that State to Arkansas in 1825, settling in Clark County. There were six children in their family: Rachel, Elizabeth, Robert N., David, Mary and an infant (unnamed). Two of these are alive: Rachel and Elizabeth. The father was a Whig in his political preference, but was not a member of any secret organization. Robert N. McNeely received a fair education in the schools of Clark County, Ark., and when twenty-three years of age began farming for himself in Nevada County, where he has an excellent tract of land. He selected for his companion in life Miss Kiometia Dewoody, a native of Tennessee, born in December, 1831, and the daughter of George W. and Ibbie Dewoody, and was married to her in Nevada County, Ark., in 1850. Their union was blessed by the birth of four children: Thomas Jefferson (born October 3, 1853), Lodyan (born December 18, 1855), Kiometia C. (born February 27, 1857), and Robert L. (born September 7, 1861). All are now deceased. The mother of these children died on December 28, 1887. The sympathies of Mr. McNeely were with the Southern cause during the late war, and he enlisted in the Twelfth Arkansas Regiment, Tennessee Army, and was transferred to the Sixth Regiment. He was in the battles of Fort Thompson, Corinth and various others, but was never wounded. He lost heavily during the war, principally in stock, but was not discouraged and went immediately to work to build up his shattered fortune. He has ever been a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises, and none are allowed to fall through for want of support if he can prevent it. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, and is the owner of some fine animals. In politics he is a strong Union Labor man, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the K. of L. and the Alliance.