McNeer, Samuel

MCNEER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 16:05:36

SAMUEL MCNEER
born Apr 20, 1827, VA

Samuel McNeer, whose devotion to the welfare of his adopted county places him among the valued citizens of Milo and makes him well worthy of representation in the history of Iowa, was born in Preston county, Virginia, April 20, 1827, and when a child moved with his parents to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, within a half mile of the Youghiogheny river, which divides Somerset from the county of his birth. He was the first born of the four sons and four daughters of Alexander and Catherine (Sypolt) McNeer. Six of the number are yet living, namely: Samuel; James, a successful and well-known farmer residing on section 35, Belmont township, Warren county; Clara Jane, wife of R. C. McNair, a retired farmer living in Milo; Nathan, an agriculturist of Belmont township; Catherine, wife of Marion King, of Preston county, West Virginia; Lucinda, wife of William Reynolds, a farmer of Virginia township Warren county; Thomas and Drusille Hitchcock, who are deceased. The former was a farmer of West Virginia, and died leaving a wife and five children, while the latter passed away in Illinois.
The father of this family was born in Keystone State, May 11, 1793, and died March18, 1872, his remains being interred in Fairview cemetery of Fayette county, where monument has been erected to his memory. Throughout his business career he carried agricultural pursuits and met with a degree of success in his undertakings. He a broad-minded man, charitable and liberal his views, and, while assuming the right think and act for himself, accorded all others the same privileges. He was a supporter Jacksonian Democratic principles and was consistent member of the Methodist Church. His wife, who was born in Preston county, Virginia, in 1805, died September 13, 1866, and was laid to rest by his side. She too belonged to the Methodist Church, and was lady whose superior qualities and worth won her the esteem of a large circle friends and acquaintances. Our subject descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry on paternal side, but his grandmother crossed Atlantic from Germany. The grandparents died in Fayette county. In Fayette county, Pennsylvania, Samuel McNeer was reared to manhood, becoming familiar with all the experiences of pioneer . He was born in an old log cabin, acquired his education in a log school-house of the neighborhood and was reared on his father's farm, where he early became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of twenty- three he left the parental roof and went to the old homestead of his grandfather, David McNeer, operating that place. When he was married he took up his residence in the old log house there, around which wolves had once prowled, while deer had roamed in its immediate vicinity. It was a story-and-a-half log structure with a lapshingled roof and an immense fire-place.
On the 8th of February, 1851, Mr McNeer was united in marriage with Miss Jane Hinbaugh, a daughter of George Hinbaugh, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. They were companions from early childhood and upon their marriage they located on the old McNeer place, which our subject purchased, making it his home for about nine years. On the expiration of that period he removed his family to what was known as the Sloan farm, two miles down the river. This he purchased, continuing its further development for nine years, when, in February, 1868, he sold out, preparatory to his removal to Iowa. He crossed the Mississippi river on the ice and made his way to Belmont township, Warren county, where he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, building thereon a small house 14x 20 feet. Six years later he added an L. With characteristic energy he began the arduous task of breaking the raw prairie, which was soon transformed into rich and fertile fields. He also bought twenty acres adjoining his farm on the west and ten years later bought forty acres on the south; subsequently he added an eighty acre tract and thus extended his operations until a very valuable farm was yielding a handsome income from the care and cultivation he bestowed upon it. He also purchased in Milo the home of John Pennington, and removing to that place in July,1891, has since lived retired, enjoying a rest which his well spent life richly merits. He is still a well preserved man, although he has passed the sixty-eighth milestone on life's journey.
Mr. and Mrs. McNeer became the parents of five children, but two died in infancy, and Thomas Ross died at the age of eleven years. Mary is the wife of Harvey Davis, who operates the old home farm in Belmont township; and Anna is the wife of Charles Ringenberg, who lives on the old Chittenden farm. On questions of national importance Mr. McNeer supports the Democracy, but at local elections votes for the man whom he best qualified for office, regardless of affiliations. He cast his first presidential for James K. Polk, and that he is not strongly partisan is shown by the fact that he cast a ballot for Abraham Lincoln. For twelve years he has served as Treasurer of the school district, but cares nothing for political preferment. He has ever taken a commendable interest all that pertains to the welfare of the community and for over a quarter of a century witnessed the growth of the county and in its progress. His business transactions have ever been characterized by straightforward, honorable dealing, and those who have met him socially have for him the highest regard. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.693