Person Page 1,688

Henry Clay McNeill was born on 4 Oct 1845.^4,5
     He moved to Coahoma Co., MississippiG, with his parents about 1848. The family has not been found in the 1850 or 1860 census, when they are believed to have been living there.¹⁶
     His mother died on 22 Nov 1859, when Henry was 14 years old.^17,18,19
     He generally used the nickname Harry, even in formal matters.^20,21,22

Joining the Confederate Army --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

      Henry enlisted as a private in Co. K, 9th Mississippi Volunteers on 27 Mar 1861, at Camp DeSoto, DeSoto Co., MississippiG, for a period of eight months 27 days. He is recorded as present with that unit as late as Oct 1861.²³
      He then joined Co. B, Chalmers' Battalion, Mississippi Sharp Shooters. He was a 3rd lieutenant, then commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant 23 Jun 1862. Confederate sharpshooter units functioned as light infantry, with duties including skirmishing and reconnaissance. He was discharged by Dec 1862.^24,25
      He enlisted 16 Apr 1863, at Panola, MississippiG, as a private in Co. D, Chalmers' Battalion, Mississippi Cavalry. This company later became part of the 18th Mississippi Cavalry. No further record of his service with that unit has been found.²⁶ There is however, record of H. C. McNeal, also shown as J. T. McNeal, a sargeant major in Co. B of the 18th Mississippi Cavalry, being captured at Bolivar Co., MississippiG, 19 Feb 1865. It seems most likely that his was Henry. He was received at Memphis 24 Feb, sent to Vicksburg for exchange 12 Mar, and returned to Confederate forces 16 Mar 1865.²⁷

Establishing Himself in Chicago --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Henry moved to Chicago by 1870, when he was living at 333 Wabash Ave. G and working as a salesman for Ross & Gossage, a dry goods company.²⁸
     When the Great Chicago fire started 8 Oct 1871 Henry and his younger brother Thomas, who was attending school in the city, were boarding together. They slept until the fire was nearby, then left so hurriedly that they lost some of their clothes.²⁹
      By 1873 he was working as a bookkeeper for J. M. Marshall, a real estate agent who handled the Chicago real estate investments of Henry's grandfather Malcom McNeill, at 124 South ClarkG. By the following year the firm was known as J. M. Marshall & Co., with Henry's name listed in the city directory as part of the firm.³⁰
     Henry married Eva A. Smith, daughter of Albert B. Smith and Roxana Willard, on 17 Feb 1873 in Warwick, New YorkG, at the residence of Col. John Kenwick, with Rev. J. E. Nassau officiating.^6,7
      It appears that Henry and Eva initially boarded at the Gardner House, at the corner of Michigan Ave and JacksonG, after they married.³¹ By 1876 they had moved to a house at 360 South Park Ave.G.³²
     Henry was named an heir in the will of Malcom McNeill, his grandfather, dated 8 Nov 1873 in Christian Co., KentuckyG, to receive, shared with his eight siblings, the northern part of his plantation in Christian Co., an 11½ acre lot in Memphis two miles outside that city, to be sold rented or divided as the executors thought proper, and the rents on five lots in Chicago. One of them had a four story house, one was vacant, and three which had houses before the great 1871 fire which were to be rebuilt by him or his executor, and the other half of the lot left to his aunt Martha. Title to these lots was to be given to the then living siblings when the youngest of them reached the age of 21, but not to any who had sold their interest before then.^33,34 In addition, he was to receive with his eight siblings, 6½ square miles (about 4,160 acres) of land in Coahoma Co., MississippiG. The executors were to sell, rent, or do what they thought best with it in the interests of the children, with any proceeds to be divided equally between them. He was also to receive his grandfather's large gold watch seal.³⁴
     Henry left the firm of J. M. Marshall & Co. by 1874, and went into the real estate business on his own, at in 133 LaSalle St.G.³⁵

A Less than Successful Subdivision in Evanston --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     In partnership with Henry M. Payne, Henry subdivided an 80-acre parcel on the northwest edge of EvanstonG. They offered 300 lots for sale at auction on 4 Jun 1874. According to an advertisement for the auction the site had been improved "at considerable expense," graded and sewered, roads and sidewalks built, and "numbers of fine trees planted in profusion." The sale took place on the property, and a special free train was offered to carry bidders from downtown Chicago.³⁶
     That subdivision, or at least a part of it, was known as "McNeill's addition to Evanston," a term still used in legal descriptions of property within it. The sale was attended by a large number of purchasers and spectators, but "the bidding was such as to not encourage the sellers to put up the entire property." A total of 43 lots were sold, for a total of $20,450.³⁷
     On 6 Jul 1874 he wrote his grandfather, thanking him for returning the interest payment he had sent, and returning (canceling) a note apparently representing a loan he had received from his grandfather. In the letter he said he had bought the property with little cash, borrowing the rest for the land and to lay sidewalks, plant trees, and build four houses. He said he had repaid $7,000 of those loans from sales. But he reported the outlook was not good: "Times are dull and no sales, if times were good I could sell out my investment at a large profit, but as things are, I have to sell low in order to meet some payments."³⁸
     On 10 Jul 1874 Henry mortgaged four lots in his subdivision on the outskirts of EvanstonG, to secure a loan of $3,000, at 10% interest.²⁰ He defaulted on a payment due 1 Jul 1875, and trustee foreclosed and sold the lots at the "most westerly of the north doors of the building occupied as a Court House" in Chicago.³⁹
     His grandfather had sold his 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation, in Coahoma Co., MississippiG, some years prior, but the buyer defaulted on the mortgage, and he re-purchased it at auction a few days before his death 21 Feb 1875. Since he had not owned it when he wrote his will the will contained no provision for it, so it passed to his 17 grandchildren under the clause dealing with estate not "willed away." Henry thus received a 1/17th undivided interest in the plantation.⁴⁰
     On 2 Sep 1876 Henry and his wife gave his brother Malcom, who was executor of their grandfather's estate, a deed of trust to secure orders against Henry's inheritance from the estate. There were five orders, to four individuals, dated from 20 May 1875 to 28 Jul 1876, for a total of $4,860. The deed of trust included all the property he was to inherit. Although no record of his repaying the orders has been found, he apparently did as he later sold his rights to those properties.⁴¹
     His business was located at 128 ClarkG by 1876.⁴² By 1877 he had moved his business to 224 Clark St.G, a building owned by him and his siblings and where his brother Malcom also had offices.⁴³
     Henry was the defendant in a number of lawsuits in Chicago in the late 1870's in which he "confessed," that is agreed he owed, a sum of money. Most were for a few hundred dollars, but in a case in Aug 1877 he agreed he owed $17,677. The plaintiff in this case was Willard A. Smith, one of those he had issued an order to against his inheritance in 1875.⁴⁴

Disappearing from Sight --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     He was a clerk working at 123 Archer Ave., ChicagoG, by 1878. No further record of his occupation has been found. Copies of Chicago city directories for 1878 to 1881 cannot be found, and he was not listed in the 1882 issue.⁴⁵
     It seems likely Henry and Eva were divorced though no record of a divorce has been found. The 1878 city directory suggests they were separated, showing them boarding at separate locations. Neither of them has been found in the 1880 census. An 1876 deed of trust related to his inheritance from his grandfather includes her as a grantor, but deeds in 1883 related to that inheritance do not list her. She is not mentioned in the obituaries found for him.^8,9,10,11
     Henry sold his one-ninth interest in the northern half of his grandfather's plantation in Christian Co., KentuckyG, which he had left to him and his siblings, to his brother Malcom on 12 Mar 1883, for $400.⁴⁶ The next day he sold to Malcom his one-ninth interest in their grandfather's 4,100-acre property west of Clarksdale, Coahoma Co., MississippiG, for $300⁴⁷, and his one-seventeenth interest in his grandfather's 3,000-acre Lake Charles Plantation on the Mississippi River, in Bolivar and Coahoma Co., MississippiG, for $500.⁴⁸
     Henry died on 1 Oct 1883 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., KentuckyG, at age 37, at the residence of William C. Kendrick. He was in Louisville to visit his cousin Rev. Dr. Rivers.^12,13,14 He was buried on 3 Oct 1883 in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, in the lot of his brother, Malcom.¹⁵
     Henry died intestate (without leaving a will) and letters of administration for his estate were issued on 29 Jan 1884 in Cook Co., IllinoisG. to Daniel Goodwin, Jr., after he posted a $20,000 bond. The case was filed by Arthur O. Slaughter, a creditor, who stated the estate did not exceed $10,000.⁴⁹

Eliza M. Burke was born on 30 Jan 1846 in AlabamaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Wilcox Co., AlabamaG, in the household of her parents, John M. Burke and Mourning M. Pledger.¹⁵ She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Wilcox Co., AlabamaG, in the household of her parents.¹⁶
     Eliza married Malcom M. McNeill, son of Thomas Henry McNeill and Rebecca Ann Tuck, on 19 Sep 1869 in Garner Station, Yalobusha Co., MississippiG, with Rev. George P. Richardson officating.^7,8
     Eliza and Malcom appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Coffeeville, Yalobusha Co., MississippiG, enumerated 12 Aug 1870, reporting real estate valued at $425. They were apparently living near her parents, as they are listed as adjacent households.¹⁷
     Eliza and Malcom moved to Chicago about 1876, when they were living at 86 Lincoln Ave. G.¹⁸ They moved to 418 N State St.G by the following year.¹⁹
     Eliza and Malcom moved to 118 Oakley Ave., Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, about 1879.²⁰
     Eliza died on 5 Jun 1880 at 118 Oakley Ave., Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, at age 34, at home.^9,10,11 She was buried on 6 Jun 1880 in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, with her new-born son John, in her husband's lot.^12,13,14

Stella McNeill was born on 23 Sep 1871 in Garner Station, MississippiG, renamed Scobey in 1893.^4,5,6
     She moved to Chicago with her parents about 1876.¹²
     Her mother died on 5 Jun 1880, when Stella was 8 years old.^13,14,15 She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of her father, Malcom M. McNeill.¹⁶
     Stella married James Garland Cooper, son of Robert James Cooper and Lucy Ann Ragdale, on 30 Oct 1895 at the home of her parents, 2001 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, with Rev. Dr. Simon McPherson of the Second Presbyterian Church officating.^7,8
     Stella and James settled Louisville after their marriage, where their first daughter was born.¹⁷ They moved to HopkinsvilleG before 1900. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, G in the household of his brother Robert and his wife, Nellie Crider.¹⁸
     Stella and James moved to Nashville by 1908, when they were living at 336 20th Ave. North. G.¹⁹ They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at 1920 West End Ave. G, enumerated 18 Apr 1910, reporting they were renting their home, apparently an apartment in a multi-unit building. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them, as were Sam B. Cowder and Emerson Lucas, also agents for the railroad.²⁰
     Stella and James returned to Hopkinsville by 1914, when they were living at 814 S. Main St. G.²¹ They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, at 210 West 1st St. G, enumerated 6 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them.²²
     Stella and James moved to New YorkG before 1930. They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of New York, Queens Co., New York, at 4222 Ketcham St. G, enumerated 16 Apr 1930, reporting that they were renting their apartment, in a building of over 100 units, for $110 per month, and did not own a radio. Her sister Willie was listed as living with them. They may have been living in one of the larger units in the building. At least they were paying the highest rent reported by anyone in the building, the same as reported for only three other apartments.²³
     Stella and James appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of New York, New York Co., New York, at 853 Riverside Dr. G, enumerated 9 Apr 1940, reporting they were renting their apartment, in a building with over 40 units, for $68 per month.²⁴
     Her husband died in 1956.²⁵
     Stella died in Apr 1970 at age 98.^9,10 She was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian Co., KentuckyG.¹¹

James Garland Cooper was born on 5 Sep 1868 in Lafayette, KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lafayette, Christian Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his parents, Robert James Cooper and Lucy Ann Ragdale.¹¹ He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Christian Co., Kentucky, G in the household of his parents.¹²
     He generally used his middle name, Garland, as an adult.^3,13,14

Embarking on a Wide-Ranging Career --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     He lived in Louisville, Kentucky for a time before he married. In 1894 he was working there as a clerk for Bareford, Lawson & Decker, a wholesale millinery firm at 533 W. Main St. G.¹⁵
     James married Stella McNeill, daughter of Malcom M. McNeill and Eliza M. Burke, on 30 Oct 1895 at the home of her parents, 2001 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG, with Rev. Dr. Simon McPherson of the Second Presbyterian Church officating.^7,8
     James and Stella settled Louisville after their marriage, where their first daughter was born.¹⁶ They moved to HopkinsvilleG before 1900. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, G in the household of his brother Robert and his wife, Nellie Crider.¹⁷
     He was a tobacconist in 1900. In early 1904 he accepted a position with the Provident Savings Life Insurance Company, in charge of the agencies in surrounding towns.^18,19
     James was appointed city assessor for Hopkinsville, effective 1 Jan 1906, for a two year term. The salary for the office was changed from $300 to 1½% of the property assessed. He began his annual assessment of property on 2 Apr 1906. A newspaper article about that stated "He will make the most thorough and painstaking canvass of the city ever made ... and is expected to find a good deal of property subject to taxation that has heretofore been overlooked." An article dated 26 May reported he had completed his work and "found much property not heretofore listed."^20,21,22

Moving to Nashville --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     James and Stella moved to Nashville by 1908, when they were living at 336 20th Ave. North. G.²³ They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at 1920 West End Ave. G, enumerated 18 Apr 1910, reporting they were renting their home, apparently an apartment in a multi-unit building. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them, as were Sam B. Cowder and Emerson Lucas, also agents for the railroad.¹
      In NashvilleG he worked for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, reporting in 1910 he was working in the a claims department. In 1913 he became a manufacturer's agent, with offices in the First National Bank building. He was representing companies featuring ostrich feathers and novelties, ladies tailored hats, including the "well known" "Smart Set" hats, etc. in a territory including Tennessee and all states south, selling to merchants only.^24,25,26
     James and Stella returned to Hopkinsville by 1914, when they were living at 814 S. Main St. G.²⁷ They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, at 210 West 1st St. G, enumerated 6 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them.¹⁴
     He was a fire insurance agent when he first returned to Hopkinsville, advertising heavily in the 1914 city directory. By 1916 he had become a travel agent. By 1920 he had returned to being a tobacconist.^28,29

Moving to New York --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     James and Stella moved to New YorkG before 1930. They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of New York, Queens Co., New York, at 4222 Ketcham St. G, enumerated 16 Apr 1930, reporting that they were renting their apartment, in a building of over 100 units, for $110 per month, and did not own a radio. Her sister Willie was listed as living with them. They may have been living in one of the larger units in the building. At least they were paying the highest rent reported by anyone in the building, the same as reported for only three other apartments.³⁰
     James and Stella appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of New York, New York Co., New York, at 853 Riverside Dr. G, enumerated 9 Apr 1940, reporting they were renting their apartment, in a building with over 40 units, for $68 per month.³¹
     By 1930 he was selling securities.³² He was a manager for concert artists by 1940. That year he reported he had worked 45 hours the last week of March, and 52 weeks the prior year, earning $875 in 1940.³³
     James died in 1956 at age ~88.⁹ He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian Co., KentuckyG.¹⁰

Malcom McNeill Jr. was born on 28 Feb 1873 in Garner Station, MississippiG, renamed Scobey in 1893.^4,5,6
     He moved to Chicago with his parents about 1876.¹⁵
     His mother died on 5 Jun 1880, when Malcom was 7 years old.^16,17,18 He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of his father, Malcom M. McNeill.¹⁹
     Malcom married Elizabeth Alleyne Sessions, daughter of Minard L. Sessions and Mary A. Reynolds, about 1895.^7,8
     Malcom and Elizabeth settled Ohio after their marriage. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, at 407 Center G, enumerated 20 Jun 1900, as roomers in the home of Lewis G. Comparet and his family, along with one other man.²⁰
     He was a salesman for electrical supplies in Des MoinesG.²⁰
     Malcom and Elizabeth and their son Minard have not been found on the 1910 census, and no record of their whereabouts in this period have been found.
      He like his father changed the spelling of both his given name and surname, spelling his name as Malcolm MacNeill by 1918.^21,11,3
     Malcom moved to AlabamaG before 1918 while Elizabeth was living Chicago.²¹
     Malcom registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at Muscle Shoals, Colbert Co., AlabamaG, reporting he was employed as a clerk for Air Nitrates Corp., at Muscle Shoals.²¹
     Malcom and Elizabeth were divorced about 1919.^9,8,10
     Malcom died on 16 Oct 1921 in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AlabamaG, at age 48.^11,12,13 He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby Co., TennesseeG.¹⁴

Elizabeth Alleyne Sessions was born on 6 Jan 1875 in Woodstock, Champaign Co., OhioG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Woodstock, Champaign Co., Ohio, G in the household of her parents, Minard L. Sessions and Mary A. Reynolds.¹⁸
     She was generally used her middle name, Alleyne, as an adult.^19,20,21
     Elizabeth married first Malcom McNeill Jr., son of Malcom M. McNeill and Eliza M. Burke, about 1895.^7,8
     Elizabeth and Malcom settled Ohio after their marriage. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, at 407 Center G, enumerated 20 Jun 1900, as roomers in the home of Lewis G. Comparet and his family, along with one other man.²²
     Elizabeth and Malcom and their son Minard have not been found on the 1910 census, and no record of their whereabouts in this period have been found.
     Malcom moved to AlabamaG before 1918. Elizabeth was living Chicago in 1918, at 5847 Indiana Ave. G.²³
     Elizabeth and Malcom were divorced about 1919.^9,8,10
     She was a solicitor for an insurance company after her divorce.²⁴
     Elizabeth appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 742 Indiana Ave. G, enumerated 6 Jan 1920, as a lodger in the home of Ellis E. Drake and his family.²⁵
     Elizabeth married second Edward Harold Michel on 11 Nov 1920 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^11,12,13
     Elizabeth and Edward appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 1305 Sunnyside Ave. G, enumerated 4 Apr 1930, reporting they were renting their home, for $80 per month, and owned a radio.²⁶
     Elizabeth and Edward appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 1305 Sunnyside Ave. G, enumerated 2 Apr 1940, reporting they were renting their home, for $45 per month, and that they had lived in the same house in 1935.²⁷
     Her second husband died on 19 Aug 1950.^28,29
     Elizabeth moved to California by 1958, where she was living her son and his wife in Los Alamitos, Orange Co. G.³⁰
     Elizabeth died on 28 Aug 1960 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CaliforniaG, at age 85.^14,15,16 She was buried in Evergreen Memorial Park, Tucson, Pima Co., ArizonaG.¹⁷