Ernest Julius Neill

NEILL, PATTERSON, HOCK, DOUGLASS, ROTHE, LINN, OVERMAN, TAYLOR

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 1/16/2015 at 06:40:24

Ernest Julius Neill, prominent Adams County farmer and livestock man, son of Samuel and Mary J. Neill was born September 10, 1873 at the old Neill Homestead in Douglas Township and died suddenly at his home near Nodaway, of a heart attack, at 9:30, Saturday morning, September 16th. At the time of his death he was 71 years, 6 days of age.Mr. Neill was a life time resident of Adams County, and was occupied with farming and livestock from early manhood. Of February 18, 1896 he was united in marriage to Nettie Ernestine Houck, the ceremony taking place in the John Houck home, near Carbon. The couple established their hime in Douglas Township, later moving to their present home in Nodaway township.
Six of their seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Neill, are left with the mother, to mourn the loss of a kind and devoted husband and father, one whose paramount interest in life was his home and his family. The surviving children are, Mrs. Ruby E. Douglass, Oskaloosa, Iowa, Mrs. Ruth Rothe, Guthrie, Iowa, Floyd of Malvern, Harold of Corning, and 1st Lt. Ernest J. A. C. of Hendricks Field, Florida. One daughter died in infancy. Four sisters also survive, Mrs. Ella Linn, Des Moines, Mrs. Mae Overman, Spokane, Washington, Mrs. Winnie Taylor, Greenacres, Washington, Miss Daisy Neill, Red Oak. Other surviving relatives are 14 grandchildren, 2 grandchildren-in-law, and one great grandson.
One son in the services of his country, 1st Lt. Ernest J. Neill of the Army Air Corps, two grandsons, Captan Allen Neill, and his brother Sgt. Samuel Neill are serving with the Medics and Tank Corps, respectively and Samuel's wife, Sgt. Mary Louise Neill is a member of the WAC's.
When a young man, Mr. Neill became a member of the Methodist Church and alway expressed his faith in God when conversing on life. Although of a retiring nature, and conservative in his dealings, he was widely known as a kind husband, a devoted father, and a friend to all with whom he came in contact. He shunned publicity and never sought to be prominent, yet he mad his way into the hearts of his friends and neighbors as few men do, a friend to all, rich and poor alike. His influence was noticed to any one community. A man of his fine character is a loss to our generation, particularly in these days when there is such a need to clear thinking and sound morals. The community grieves with the family in their loss.
Funeral services were conducted at the family home, Monday afternoon September 18, at 2:30 conducted by Dessie G. Masters, pastor of the Corning Christian Church, who performed the ceremony at the twenty-fifth anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Neill. A large group of relatives, neighbors, and friends were present to express their respect in these last services.
Pall bearers were his three sons, Harold, Floyd, and 1st Lt. Ernest J. A. C.; sons-in-law, J. R. Roche, Wayne Douglas, Vern Wilmarth; nephew Edwin Butler, and grandson-in-law, Ralph Waage of Emerson.
Interment was in Forest Lawn Cemetery, at Quincy, Iowa.
Adams County Free Press, Thursday, September 21, 1944, page 15