My Genealogy Hound

NEELY, MORTIMER, manager of the business house of S. M. Crooks & Co., Coin, Iowa; born in Cayuga county, New York, March 2, 1834. At the age of four years he removed with his parents to Knox county, Illinois. In 1847 he entered the mercantile business in Henderson, Illinois. At the expiration of two years he removed to Galesburg, Illinois, and from that time until the spring of 1851 was engaged in that place in mercantile pursuits. He then went to Peoria, Illinois, and engaged in the same business for three years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Galesburg, and took charge of a business house, where he remained until the winter of 1855-6, when he came to Eddyville, Iowa, with a stock of goods, and continued in business until November, 1858. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, engaging in the wholesale boot and shoe house of Grant & Johnson. At the event of a change in the administration Nr. Neely received an appointment in the surveyor-general’s office. At the opening of the rebellion, he resigned his position, gave up a lucrative salary, recruited a company of cavalry in St. Paul, and started for field service. He served for three years in the 14th army corps. Was for a time in Gen. Logan’s and Grant’s staffs. At the close of three years’ service he re-enlisted, and went with Gen. Sully in the Indian campaigns of the west for two years. During the winter of 1865-6 he held command of Ft. Randall, Dakota. When the country was rescued, he was mustered out, in June, 1866. Since the war he has given his attention to general mercantile business and stock-raising. Mr. Neely is a man of great energy of character and business qualifications. Was married January 22, 1879, to Miss Ettie Monroe, a native of Canada.