For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 483
WILLIAM H. NEIL....William H. Neil, a respected citizen of Seventy-six township, where he has made his home for more than forty years, was born in the state of Maine, October 22,1826, and is a son of William and Isabel ( Dugan ) Neil, the mother also a native of Maine and the father of New Hampshire. Willian Neil Sr., removed with his family to Iowa in 1842 and for twenty-two years lived upon a farm in Des Moines county. In 1864 he came to Muscatine county, where he purchased land and continued until his death, which occurred four years later. The mother was called away in 1900, at the venerable age of ninety-nine years, six months and three days. She was the mother of six cildren, only one of whom, the subject of this review, is now living.William H. Neil was educated in the district schools and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commenced farming for himself upon rented land. In 1868, having prospered financially, he removed to the farm where he now lives. It comprises forty acres on section 29, Seventy-six township, and he has made many substantial improvements thereon. In 1865 Mr. Neil was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Price, who was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1844, a daughter of Michael and Rachel ( Foster ) Price. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Ohio. They came to Muscatine county in 1848, and continued here during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Price was representative of Muscatine county for one term in the legislature at Des Moines about 1860. There were ten children in their family, only one of whom is now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Neil two children were born : Carrie N., received a good education and became one of the popular school teachers of the township. She makes her home with her father. Laura E.,who was born July 11, 1868, grew to beautiful womanhood but was called away August 27, 1897, at the age of Twenty-nine years.
Mr. Neil gives his allegiance to the republican party and although he has not sought political office he has served to the general satisfaction of tax-payers of the township as trustee and assessor. He is a stanch friend of education and has filled the office of secretary of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with Lodge No. 671, I. O. O. F., of Letts, Iowa, and has passed through all the chairs of the lodge. One of the greatest sorrows of his life was the loss of his beloved wife, who passed away January 19, 1908, and her remains were deposited by loving hands in Letts cemetery. Mr. Neil and his daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are sustained by a faith in a reunion with those who have gone before which is founded on divine promise. The life of Mr. Neil has been an open book, and as he rests from his labors he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has assisted to the extent of his ability in advancing the happiness of those with whom he has been associated.
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