Dubuque County >> 1894 Index
Jones County
Clayton County

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894.

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Becky Teubner.

J. J. NEILL

Prominent among the settlers of Clayton County who have witnessed the wonderful development the country has made during the past decade or so, and who have by honest toil and perseverance suc­ceeded in acquiring a competency and are now enabled to enjoy their well earned rest, is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice.

Mr. Neill was born September 16, 1840. His father was Joseph Neill, a native of the Emerald Isle, who emigrated to America and settled in New York State for a time, then came to Clayton County, Iowa, settling in this township. He re­ceived some land from the Government and on it built a log cabin; he remained here, improving the land, until his demise, at the age of sixty-four. He was a stanch Democrat, and an earnest member of the Congregational Church, and was a well known personage in this country. The mother was also a native of Ireland. She died there when our subject was yet an infant. The following children were born to her: Mary J., William and John, who all attained maturity but are now de­ceased.

The subject of this sketch was but six years old when he came to this county. He was reared in this township and attended the little log school-house here. He was married June 19,1866, to Miss Harriet Wakeman, who is a native of Indiana. Her parents came from New York State to Indiana, and from there to this county. She was reared in this township, and after her marriage with our subject they settled at their present location.

Out of two hundred and forty acres of land, he has but twelve that are not cultivated. He is a stock raiser as well as a tiller of the soil, and makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, besides fine blooded horses and cattle. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Neill, as follows: Mabel C., William E., Walter J., Herbert N. and Alice E., William now being deceased. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he being a Trustee of the same. He has been a member of the School Board for a number of years, and is also a stockholder in the company that operates the Farmers' Creamery, and was for a time its Director and Vice-President.

Mr. Neill has never asked for any offices of pub­lic trust, but is always selected by his friends and neighbors because of his ability. He has a most excellent wife and she has impressed her intelli­gence upon her children to a marked degree. Literally a self-made man, he may with satisfac­tion review his life of energetic industry, animated by a courage and determination which have en­abled him to overcome obstacles and win financial success and an abundant competence. An upright man and liberal spirited citizen, he is universally respected, and enjoys the high regard of many friends. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Neill is in­terested in both local and national issues, and in­telligently posted in all matters tending to the promotion of the general welfare, and does his full duty as a true and patriotic American citizen.

MICHAEL NEYLAN

Not a little of the success and prosperity gained by Iowa is due to her citizens who are of Irish birth or descent, and who, combining the qualities of cheerful perseverance and industry characteristic of their race, with the pluck and determination possessed by Americans, have succeeded in advancing their personal welfare and enhancing the material progress of the state. Of this class is Mr. Neylan, a resident farmer of Clayton County, and the owner and occupant of a well improved farm in Boardman Township.

In County Clare, Ireland, the subject of this sketch was born in 1820, being a member of the family of Francis and Jane (Cusick) Neylan, both of whom were born in the same county as our subject, and there remained until death. Michael grew to manhood amid the scenes of his native country, and while his educational advantages were very limited, he managed to acquire a valuable fund of information as a result of habits of close observation formed in boyhood. About the time of the Mexican War he crossed the ocean, seeking a home in our country, and here he has since remained. His home has been in Iowa for forty years or more, but he has also traveled extensively and visited almost every part of the United States.

For a time after coming to Iowa, Mr. Neylan was employed on a railroad, and also followed other lines of work. Finally he settled down to the quiet life of a farmer, and to this occupation he has since devoted his entire attention. His first purchase consisted of forty acres in Highland Township, Clayton County, to the cultivation of which he devoted himself assiduously. So successful was he in his enterprises that he was soon enabled to add forty acres to his landed possessions, and afterward twenty acres, and at the present time he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres.

The lady to whose counsel and active assistance Mr. Neylan owes not a little of his success bore the maiden name of Mary Glynn, and was born in County Clare, Ireland. Their union has resulted in the birth of four children, of whom three are now living, as follows: Ellen, who is married and has five children; John, also married, and who is the father of seven children, and Jane, who resides with her parents. Mr. Neylan has always been very industrious and persevering, but in his undertakings he was long beset by poverty, and in securing his land he had much to contend with. However, he had the pluck necessary to secure success, and by undaunted energy gradually worked his way upward to a position of prominence in his community. All that he is, and all that he has, may be attributed to his indefatigable exertions, and he is one of the type of men usually termed self-made. He has never taken an active part in political affairs, but favors the policy of the Democratic party, which he supports in national elections. In local matters, he advocates men rather than party and gives his influence to the candidates whom he believes will best advance the interests of the township and county.

LUCIUS L. NOBLE, a prominent retired agriculturist of Strawberry Point, was born in the village of Alabama, in Genesee County, N. Y., July 15, 1832. The family of which he is a worthy representative originated in England and was prominent in this country during the Colonial days. Grandfather Medad Noble was a shoemaker by trade, and was one of the devoted patriots who offered their services in the defense of the Colonies during the dark days of the Revolution.

J. F. Noble, our subject's father, was born in Richmond, N, Y., in 1804, and was a farmer by occupation. With his family he came west in 1833 and settled in Michigan, where he remained until 1846. He then came to Clayton County, at that time considered the extreme frontier, and entering a tract of Government land in Lodomillo Township, gave his attention to its cultivation until his death in 1864. His wife, also a native of the state of New York, bore the maiden name of Martha Gray, and was born in Livingston County, being the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. At an advanced age she died in 1886, on the old homestead in Lodomillo Township.

The subject of this sketch was one of three brothers. L. R. is a wealthy retired farmer of Strawberry Point, and is a stockholder in the Strawberry Point Bank. F. G. is living on the old homestead. Our subject was fourteen years of age when the family came to Iowa, and soon after he began the active career of an agriculturist. Commencing the cultivation of a farm in Lodomillo Township, he continued thus engaged until 1882, when, having accumulated a competence, he retired from active work. He has since resided in Strawberry Point, but still owns his fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, which he rents to reliable tenants. About twenty-five years ago he received a very severe fall from a wagon, which produced paralysis, and which has rendered him unable to do manual labor, His intellect, however, is as keen as in the days of early manhood, and he retains a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his fellow-citizens. He is a stockholder and Director in the Strawberry Point Bank, and is recognized as one of the leading men in the place.

The lady who in 1858 became the wife of our subject was Miss Elizabeth E. Kidner, a native of Ohio and daughter of Amos Kidner, one of the pioneers of that state. Two daughters have blessed their union. The elder, Cora A., is a graduate of Lenox College, in Hopkinton, Iowa, and the wife of E. B. Porter, a merchant of Delhi, this state. The younger, Emma D., a graduate of Upper Iowa University of Fayette, was for many years a teacher in the public schools, and is now the wife of R. E. Friars, of Washington.

Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Noble has advocated the principles for which it stands. For several years he officiated as Township Clerk, but with that exception has held no public office. He keeps fully informed concerning the great issues of the age, and, being well posted upon topics of importance, is an interesting conversationalist. His wife and younger daughter belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Porter is identified with the Baptist denomination. While he is not a church member, he has led a strictly moral and upright life, and occupies a high place in the regard of the people.