John McNeilly    

JOHN MCNEILLY, deceased, was born near Baltimore, Md., February 11, 1798, to John and Agnes McNeilly, natives of Ireland, and there grew up and learned the cabinet-maker’s trade. About 1827 he came to Mercer County, but soon afterward returned to Maryland for his mother, whom he brought back with him, and who died October 23, 1845, aged seventy-five. He worked for the Mossmans a few years, and then purchased a part of the tract of land on which his sons, James and John P., now live. He married Sarah Bowman, a native of West Salem Township, whose parents, Samuel and Mary Bowman, were pioneers of this township. Eight children were the fruits of this union: Mary Ann, wife of Christopher Moats, of Greene Township; Sarah J., wife of Absalom Arner, of Missouri; Agnes, widow of Franklin Melvin; Jemima, wife of Richard McLaughlin, of West Salem Township; Jeremiah, deceased; John P., James and Elizabeth. After locating on his land John McNeilly followed farming, which he continued until a short time preceding his death, which occurred April 18, 1886, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. Politically he was a life-long Democrat, and filled most of the township offices, being justice of the peace many years. He was an industrious, honest man, and was quite successful in the accumulation of property. His widow resides on the old homestead, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. John P., his eldest son, was born on the old homestead October 31, 1844, and has always lived in the township. He is a stanch Democrat, and a member of the K. of. P. His youngest son, James, was born March 22, 1847, and has always dwelt on the home farm. He was married, June 29, 1871 to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary Calvert, of West Salem Township. One son, James, is the fruit of this marriage. Politically Mr. McNeilly is one of the leading Democrats of the township, has filled most of the township offices, and is an enterprising, progressive farmer.

History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present : including its aboriginal history, its early settlement and development, a description of its historic and interesting localities, sketches of its boroughs, townships and villages, neighborhood and family histories, portraits and biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc. : also, a condensed history of Pennsylvania. Chicago, Ill.: Brown, Runk & Co., 1888, page 1191.  Read this book on line - Free Trial  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com.