McNEAL, Daniel W. - 1914

MCNEAL, FURROW, WILLARD, HOBART, OGDAN, FOBES, BLODGETT

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/1/2009 at 03:37:24

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
By Thomas McCulla

DANIEL W. McNEAL.

Daniel W. McNeal, engaged in the general practice of law and in the conduct of a large insurance business in Cherokee, was born in Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, February 15, 1855. He is a son of William and Lucinda (Furrow) McNeal, the former of whom engaged in farming in La Salle county until 1876 and then moved to Cherokee where he lived retired until his death. He was identified fraternally with the Masons and was a democrat in his political beliefs. He died on the 29th of May, 1883, and was survived by his wife until September 15, 1892. To their union were born two children; Daniel W., of this review and Mary, who resides in Cherokee.

Daniel W. McNeal acquired his early education in the district schools of La Salle county, Illinois, and afterward attended Lombard University in Gales burg, and graduated from that institution with the class of 1876. He afterward taught for six months in a school in Illinois and then came west to Iowa, settling in Cherokee. Here he read law with James ODonnell and in February, 1877, was admitted to the bar, being the first to obtain admission in Cherokee county. He afterward practiced his profession for a short time, but in 1880 moved on to a farm in this county, developing and improving the property for seven years. In 1887 he returned to Cherokee and was for one year editor of the Times after which he engaged in the coal and lumber business at Washta until 1891. He then resumed the practice of his profession and in the fall of 1894 was elected clerk of the district court, serving until 1901. In that year he returned to Cherokee and for seven years thereafter did able and effective work in the office of city clerk. At the close of his last term he again took up the practice of his profession and has so continued to the present time, being today in control of a large and important clientage. He is also interested in the insurance business here and he has been very successful along this line.

On the 3d of September, 1879, Mr. McNeal married Miss Jennie D. Willard, a daughter of Lovell and Jane (Hobart) Willard of Cherokee. Mr. McNeaPs first wife passed away January 14, 1893, leaving four children as follows: Clara W., a teacher in Messa, Arizona; Florence L., the widow of Harry A. Ogden of the same city; William L., a traveling salesman with headquarters in Mitchell, South Dakota; and Morley D., a student in the medical department of Johns Hopkins University. On the 12th of November, 1896, Mr. McNeal was again married, his second union being with Miss Agnes M. Fobes, a daughter of G. M. and Emily (Blodgett) Fobes of Cherokee. To this union have been born two daughters: Lucile E., deceased and Helen Mary, at home.

Mr. McNeal is a deacon and clerk of the Congregational church and he is connected fraternally with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is well known in local republican politics, being chairman of the republican county central committee and he has a great deal of political influence which he uses always on the side of right, reform and progress. Aside from his professional relations his excellent qualities of character commend him to the confidence and goodwill of his fellow citizens and his circle of friends is constantly increasing—a fact which indicates an honorable and successful career.