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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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McNeelan Lumber Company, one of the best paying industries in Saline County, is managed by enterprising men, a secret of the large patronage accorded them. They are large manufacturers of yellow pine and oak lumber, and make a specialty of railroad timber. This business was first established in 1886 by C. H. McNeelan, his father, and John D. McNeelan, a brother, but in 1888 the latter retired from the firm, and Mr. John A. Russell was taken in partnership. This company are by far the strongest and most extensive dealers and manufacturers of lumber in the county, being located on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, about twenty miles southwest of Little Rock, where they own some 2,240 acres of the finest timber land in Arkansas, as well as many acres of timber in other sections. The senior member, John D. MeNeelan, was born in Pennsylvania and reared in that State, but later on moved to Ohio, where he was married to Miss Savannah A. Extine, also of Pennsylvania nativity, born in 1826. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Jennings County, Ind., where Mr. McNeelan was for many years a prominent lumber dealer. He lost his wife in September, 1876, but after her death continued to reside in Indiana until the year 1886, when he came to Saline County. He is a representative business man, a prominent and leading figure in commercial circles, and one of the most popular citizens of Saline County. He is a son of George W. McNeelan, originally from Ireland, who came to the United States when only five years of age, and first settled in Pennsylvania, but spent the latter days of his life in Ohio. Mrs. John D. McNeelan’s father, David Extine, was of German origin, and a tailor by trade. He was born in Pennsylvania, where he followed his calling for some years, later adopting the occupation of an auctioneer, which he carried on with great success in his native State and Ohio. Six sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. John D. McNeelan, of whom O. H. was the third. He was educated at the public and graded schools of Hopewell, Ind., and after completing his studies entered at once into the lumber business, in which he has continued ever since. He at first remained with his father, but later established a business on his own responsibility in Indiana, which he carried on with success until coming to Saline County, Ark., in 1886. In 1881 he was married to Anna M., daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson, of Ohio, where Mr. Wilson resided all his life. Mrs. Wilson afterward removed to Indiana, but is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. C. H. McNeelan. The latter was born in Salem, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of four children, of whom three are yet living. In politics Mr. C. H. McNeelan is a stanch Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Grant in 1872. He is a shrewd financier, a representative business man, and one of the best posted men on lumber affairs in Arkansas. The junior member of the firm, John A. Russell, was born in Saline County in 1863, and is a son of Hon. Alexander Russell, of whom a biographical sketch is found elsewhere in this volume. John A. was reared on a farm, and educated at the public schools of his native State, and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the English branches, taught school himself for a number of years. In 1885 he and his father established and operated the Siddell Mill, which was afterward purchased by this company, for whom Mr. Russell then acted as book-keeper until the year 1888, when he was taken in as a partner. He is now actively interested in the management of the business, and has charge of the company’s store, besides acting as postmaster for the town of Siddell. Mr. Russell was first married in 1885 to Miss Anna Cameron, of Mississippi, who died December 25, 1885, and in June, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie McFadden, of Clark County. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Cleveland in 1884. He is a young man of pluck, enterprise and the proper business spirit, and promises some day to be a leader in the commercial circles of Saline County.

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This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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