My Genealogy Hound

Anton Neis, of Fort Smith, Ark., was born in Alsace, France, in 1818, and is a son of Joseph and Susie (Aesanstack) Neis. The former was a butcher by trade, and also kept a hotel. His grandfather came to America with Marquis de Lafayette, and assisted the colonists in their struggle for freedom, returning home in safety. Joseph and Susie Neis died in their native land, having become the parents of five children, Anton being their youngest born. The latter learned the trade of butcher, and at the age of twenty-one years came to the United States, landing at New York City. He soon after went to Frankfort, Ky., where he worked at his trade for two years, and while in that city cast his first presidential vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison. From Frankfort he went to New Orleans, but after a short stay in that city went to Lexington, Mo., where he made his home for two years. Under the bankrupt law, during Harrison’s administration he was entirely broken up, losing about $6,000. After this he left Lexington and returned to New Orleans, where he began following his trade once more. In 1844 he came to Fort Smith, where he has since resided, and where he was married, about one year after his arrival, to Miss Catherine Sengel, by whom he became the father of five children: Susie, widow of Gen. Bonneville; Louise, widow of Charles Robinson; Tony, Albert, and Katie, who died at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anton Neis was working at his trade in Fort Smith when Gen. Taylor was preparing for the Mexican War, and was requested by the latter to join his command. He did so, and left Fort Smith November 1, 1845, and served throughout the entire war, being accompanied by his wife. He was afterward in a number of fights with the Indians, the principal engagements being with the Pawnees, and in one of their fights on Blue Creek, Neb., killed 130 Indians and lost only one man. The Indians were armed with bows and arrows. In 1849 he was sent to work in a saw-mill, where he met with an accident and was seriously injured, but received no compensation from the Government until Grover Cleveland was elected President, since which time he has been receiving a pension. He has been engaged in butchering and in hotel-keeping in Fort Smith for many years, and is doing a satisfactory business. The family attend the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views.