My Genealogy Hound

N. W. NEEL, farmer and ex-commissioner, P. O. Decatur, born in Huntington Tp., near the place where he now resides, in the year 1827; he is a son of Samuel and Mary Jane (Ousler) Neel, early settlers. The early life of our subject was passed on the farm, and when of proper age, he took up blacksmithing, which he followed in conjunction with farming for about twenty years. He received only a limited education in the district schools, which has been developed by observation in later life. He was married, April 4, 1850, to Miss Jemima, the daughter of William and Massie Bryant, of Adams County, Ohio. After his marriage, he settled in Byrd Township, just opposite to his present place of residence, where he resided for six years, after which he removed to and settled on his present place of residence. He owns eighty-eight and one-fourth acres of land on Eagle Creek, in the Northern extremity of the township. He has been officially connected with his township, in which he has served in the capacity of Trustee two terms. In 1879, he was elected a Commissioner of the county, in which capacity he has satisfactorily discharged the requirements of the office. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 149, of Aberdeen. To Mr. and Mrs. Neel have been born nine children, six of whom are living, namely, Caroline, Mary E., Massie J., Amanda, William S. and Eliza. The deceased are Thomas, Serena and an infant. Politically he is a Democrat, and has voted with that party upon all questions at issue.