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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES D. O’NEIL, manager of the Abington Brick Company, and widely known as one of the most enterprising and progressive business men in the lower part of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born April 27, 1863, at Ogontz, where he has resided to the present time, and which has been the immediate scene of his busy and useful effort. Her parents are Dennis and Ann (Williams) O’Neil, both natives of Ireland, and who for forty years past have been honored and respected residents of the village before named.

Mr. O’Neil was educated in the public schools of Ogontz, and at LaMott, in Cheltenham township. After completing his school studies he entered the employ of a carriage builder, but when he had attained his majority abandoned this occupation for the carpenter’s trade, which he thoroughly learned, at the same time acquiring an excellent practical knowledge of architecture. For the latter he displayed a genuine aptitude, and developed such ability as to ensure his success in the calling to which he has since devoted himself. In 1887 he entered upon what has proven to be a most successful career as a contractor and builder, and he has erected many of the most imposing edifices, public, business and residential, in his portion of Montgomery county, not only contributing to its wealth by the creation of new property, but otherwise advantaging the community by affording employment to a considerable number of skilled mechanics and laborers. He has otherwise proven an important factor in the growth and development of the neighborhood. One of the most important enterprises which he essayed and has forwarded to success was the Abington Brick Company, organized in 1902, and of which he is the manager. The company property is located in the vicinity of Weldon, near the Germantown and Willow Grove turnpike road, and is central to his principal business district, which in greater part comprises the townships of Abington and Cheltenham. Although in operation less than two years, the Abington Company has successfully vindicated its right and opportunity, and has before it every assurance of usefulness to the community and satisfaction to its projectors and conductors.

Mr. O’Neil was married, on June 18, 1890, to Miss Alice Kennedy, daughter of William and Alice Kennedy. Of this marriage have been born six children-Alice, Anna, Helen Dorothy, Marion, Esther, and Florence. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which both parents were reared, as were their ancestors from time immemorial. In politics Mr. O’Neil is a Republican. His personal qualities are of that admirable type which stamp the model citizen and neighbor.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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