My Genealogy Hound

John Franklin Neal was born August 1, 1855, in Crawford County, Ark., and is a son of Palmer and Elmina (Neal) Neal, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The mother was born in Tennessee, and while on a visit to North Carolina was married to Mr. Neal, who was her cousin. They afterward spent about two years in Tennessee, and then immigrated to Crawford County, Ark., about three miles east of Cedarville. They had nine children, four of whom are living: Mary E., widow of John L. London; Miriam M., wife of William H. Maxey; John F. and Paler H. Those deceased are James, Demarius, Julia A. (wife of William Larue), Cornelius W. and Virginia A. Mr. Neal farmed in this county from 1843 until 1875, and about 1877 went into the mercantile business, which he continued until his death in 1885, aged sixty-three. The mother survived him but a few days and was sixty-two years old at her death. Mr. Neal was very poor when he came to this county, but succeeded in amassing property and defending his possessions during the war by enlisting in the Confederate army, serving until the close of the war. He was one of the early settlers here, and with his wife endured many hardships during the pioneer days. He became the owner of large tracts of land, and was an extensive stock raiser. Our subject remained at home working upon the farm until of age, and received but a common-school education. He then went into the mercantile business with his father, and although he now owns considerable land and farms extensively he is still interested in mercantile life, owning a large stock of general goods, besides being a partner in the drug firm of Neal & Purcell. In October, 1878, he married Miss Naomi T. Crowell, daughter of Charles and Lavina Crowell, and a native of Benton County, Ark. This union has been blessed with four children: Princess Deborah and Rosa Belle, living, and William W. and Bertha G., deceased. Mrs. Neal is a Methodist, and Mr. Neal belongs to the Presbyterian Church, being superintendent of a Sunday-school. He is a very strong Democrat, and always votes a straight Democratic ticket. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.