Neal, Benjamin (b. 1828; d. 1903), farmer and drayman. Fonda, was a native of Richmond, Va. At fifteen he moved with his parents to Mason county, Ill., where in 1854, he married Eunice Howe. In 1875, he became a resident of Pocahontas county, locating on a farm in the vicinity of Fonda. In 1884, he moved to Fonda, became a drayman and continued in that employment until his decease at 75 in 1903. He was an industrious, honest and honorable man.

His family consisted of one son and seven daughters. Susan Jane in 1883, married Lewis Dishoff, a farmer, and lives in Greeley county, Neb. Charles E., a farmer, in 1885, married Clara Wright and lives at Cherokee. Sarah C. in 1883, married Frank Messenger, a carpenter, lives at Fonda and has five children. Lena married Robert Boothby, a farmer, and lives at Cherokee. Huldah in 1885, married Charles Woodward, a railroad agent, lives at Mount Vernon, S.D. Lydia, Hattie, and Viola ay, a Fonda graduate (1899) and teacher, are at home.