BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 599-600.


ROBERT E. NEAL is one of the pioneer characters of Bellaire. He is a
native of Belmont county, having first seen the light of day at Uniontown,
Belmont county, Ohio, June 15, 1831. Mr. Neal's parents were George and
Mary (Daves) Neal, both of Irish descent, and both born in Pennsylvania.
George Neal was a cabinet-maker and gunsmith. He came to Ohio and located
at Uniontown. Here he remained, working at his trade and bringing up his
family of five children, until his demise. His wife also died, and the
children are all dead, with the exception of Robert E. Neal, who is the
principal of this biographical sketch. Having obtained all the schooling
possible, Mr. Neal learned the trade of tailoring, but did not work at
it many years. He next gave his attention to the livery business in
Bellaire, where he went in 1854. He has since remained in this business.
He was united in marriage, and the union was crowned by the birth of
three children: Mary, Robert F. and William, all of them survive their
mother, who has passed away. Mr. Neal married a second time. He is a
Mason and an ardent democrat. Mr. Neal probably has as large a trade as
any man in the county. He has gained the reputation of being a man
square in his dealings with everybody, and of doing everything in his
power to accommodate those who give him their patronage. At all times
keenly alive to his business interests, yet never overstepping the
strictest bounds of honesty. He is always ready to give of his means to
any deserving cause, and has supported everything that would tend to
benefit the community in which he lives.