DANIEL McNEIL Jr, 1836
by William Urban
Daniel McNeil, Jr., was the most prominent citizen
of early Monmouth. He was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, March 24,
1792, and still there at the census of 1800; in 1805 he emigrated to
Phelps, New York, then in 1810 to Louisiana. He returned to New York in
1814, shortly before the British invasion that was stopped by Andrew
Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. In 1819 he moved to Wabash County,
Indiana, then in 1824 to Fulton County, Illinois. He came to Warren
County in 1830, remaining here until 1852.
The Past and Present of Warren County
reports:
The proceedings to incorporate Monmouth as a town, as
recorded, were commenced at this date. These proceedings were under the
general law of the State in force at that time, being the act approved
February 12, 1831, entitled "an act to incorporate the inhabitants of
such towns as may wish to be incorporated." Ten days prior to November
29th, a notice had been publicly posted up in compliance to law, and in
pursuance of this call "the male citizens of the town of Monmouth" met
at the school house at this date, and having organized by calling Elijah
Davidson to be chair, and Harry Jennings as clerk, "the object of the
meeting was fully set forth" and voting for and against the
incorporation of the town commenced. Twenty-three votes were cast in
favor of the incorporation and none against.
The voters were: Wm. F. Smith, Daniel McNeil, Jr., R.
W. McMillen, Mordecai McBride, B. F. Berry, Yost Huffman, J.J.Caldwell,
G. W. Vaugan, J. P. Hogue, Samuel Brazelton, Geo. H. Wright, Alex.
Hogue, F. Vandyke, James McCallon, S. T. McBride, Thos. Butler, Andrew
Robinson, Frank Kendell, Peter I. Dodge, Thos. G. Hogue, Elijah
Davidson, Harry Jennings and Alex.Ritchie.
He was the first postmaster of the community,
1830/1-1842/3. It was reported that he would meet the stage coaches,
then carry the letters in his hat until he met the people for whom they
were intended.
City government was fairly simple in 1836. The
first ordinance against gambling was passed Dec. 26, 1836; the first
ordinance to license a "grocery or tippling shop" came five days later,
with a fee of $12.
The first Methodist Church in town was organized
above his store in 1840; he was among the first trustees of the church.
He was
put on trial in January 1847 on charges of having altered county records
and of negligence in office. (Atlas, Jan 14, 1847). He was
acquitted, but admonished to take better care of the records.
In the census of 1850 he was single, living in the
home of Robert Allen, the county sheriff. On March 17, 1851, he married
Sarah Shoemaker in Galesburg.
The Past and Present of Warren County
says that he migrated to DeWitt, Iowa, in 1852; the Census of 1860 shows
him there on June 28, with his wife Sarah, age 51. He was the local
newspaper editor. One printer and his small family lived with him;
another two printers lived next door. He died February 28, 1869; his
widow married James Green on July 22, 1875, in
Lourune Rock County, Minnesota,
and died September 5,
1891.
He held almost every elective office in Warren
county.
http://www.wcig.net/warhist.htm
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