Person Page 2,210

Benjamin Franklin McNeill Jr. was born on 16 Sep 1886 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of his parents, Benjamin Franklin McNeill and Marguerite C. West.¹⁵
     He moved to MichiganG with his parents by 1907. He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.¹⁶
     He was a clerk in a railroad office in 1910.¹⁶
     He moved to LansingG with his parents about 1917.^17,18 Benjamin registered for the draft for World War I on 5 Jun 1917, while living at 103 Chestnut St., Lansing, MichiganG, reporting he was employed as fire insurance surveyor for Sanborn Map Co., Chicago.¹⁹ He appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.²⁰
     He was a draftsman for the state by 1920. By 1930 he was a clerk at an automobile business.^20,21
     He appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.²²
     Benjamin married first Mary Eileen Denning, daughter of Frank E. Denning and Hazel May Cook, on 21 Dec 1934 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, with Rev. Cornelius Muilenberg officiatins.^7,8
     His wife died on 29 Jun 1935 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG.²³
     He reported his occupation as draftsman at his first marriage. Three years later he reported he was an accountant.^24,25
     Benjamin married second Mildred L. Ely, daughter of Winfield S. Ely and Mary Isadora Oswald, on 11 Mar 1937 in Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., MichiganG, with George E. Stokes, Justice of the Peace, officiating.^9,10
     Benjamin and Mildred appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 902½ W. Saginaw G, enumerated 24 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $35 per month, and that they had lived in the same city in 1935., as was his mother.²⁶
     By 1940 he was back with the state highway department, as a draftsman, reporting in 1940 he had worked 40 hours the last week of March, and 26 weeks the prior year, earning $686.²⁷ Benjamin registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living at 902½ W. Saginaw, Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, reporting he was employed by the state highway department, in Lansing.²⁸ He retired from the highway department about 1957.²⁹
     Benjamin died on 10 Aug 1964 at his home, 1241 Warwick Dr., Lansing, MichiganG, at age 77.^11,12,13 He was buried in Waldron Cemetery, Waldron, Hilldale Co., MichiganG.¹⁴

Byron West McNeill was born on 1 Aug 1888 in Chicago, IllinoisG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of his parents, Benjamin Franklin McNeill and Marguerite C. West.¹⁴
     He moved to MichiganG with his parents by 1907. He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.¹⁵
     He was a solicitor for a telephone company in Grand RapidsG.¹⁵
     Byron moved to Colorado about 1911, when he was listed as boarding at 1459 Pennsylvania, Denver. G He is listed in some directories in the following years until 1918, at various addresses, always with no occupation listed. He seems to have been suffering from some health issue, and Colorado was known then as a favorable location for those suffering from respiratory diseases, especially tuberculosis.¹⁶
     Byron married May Pauline Busch, daughter of Herman C. Busch and Sophie K. Lephart, about 1917. While no actual record of the marriage has been found, they represented themselves as married in city directories and to the census enumerator.^7,8,9
     Byron registered for the draft for World War I on 5 Jun 1917, while living at 452 So Grant, Denver, ColoradoG, reporting he was not employed, and was an invalid.¹⁵
     Byron and May appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, at 51 W Irvington G, enumerated 3 Jan 1920, reporting they rented their home.¹⁷
     He was a salesman by 1919, selling shipping room supplies in 1920, and for Pal O'Motor Oil Company by 1922.^18,19
     Byron remarried May Pauline Busch on 6 Aug 1921 in Boulder, Boulder Co., ColoradoG, with Rev. C. A. Rowand officiating. Why they married after having lived as man and wife for several years is unclear. Perhaps they were making official a common-law marriage?¹⁰
     Byron died on 21 Mar 1922, at his home at 223 Bannock St., Denver, ColoradoG, at age 33.^11,6 He was buried on 26 Mar 1922 in Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, ColoradoG.^12,13

Ruth Margaret McNeill was born in Jun 1890 in Chicago, IllinoisG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of her parents, Benjamin Franklin McNeill and Marguerite C. West.¹²
     She moved to MichiganG with her parents by 1907. She appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, G in the household of her parents.¹³
     She was a sales lady in retail drugs before her marriage.¹³
     Ruth married Keith Kitzsteiner, son of Frank Kitzsteiner and Emma C. Gore, on 7 Nov 1913 in Jackson Co., MichiganG, with Clarence M Russell, judge of probate, officating.^7,8,9
     Ruth and Keith settled Chicago after their marriage. They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 162 74 St. G, enumerated 12 Jan 1920, listed as boarders in the home of George Ellis and his wife Ada.¹⁴
     Ruth and Keith moved to Michigan about 1929.¹⁵ They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of her parents.¹⁶
     Ruth and Keith appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 915 W Lapeer St. G, enumerated 13 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $30 per month, and that they had lived in the same city in 1935.¹⁷
     Her husband died on 16 Dec 1963 in Lansing, MichiganG.^18,19
     Ruth died on 25 Sep 1966 in Lansing, MichiganG, at age 76.¹⁰ She was buried on 27 Sep 1966 in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lansing, MichiganG.¹¹

Wallace Hector McNeill was born on 5 Feb 1892 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^5,6,7
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of his parents, Benjamin Franklin McNeill and Marguerite C. West.²⁰
     He moved to MichiganG with his parents by 1907. He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.²¹
     He was a shipping clerk in a corset factory in 1910.²¹ He was a machinist in an automoble factory by 1917.^22,23
     Wallace married Reanza Agatha Termote, daughter of Henry Termote and Wihlemina Tepporten, on 11 Jan 1917 in Detroit, MichiganG, with John McCarroll officating.^8,9,10
      Wallace lived in Ohio for a time after their marriage, but it is unclear whether Reanza was there with him. Wallace registered for the draft for World War I on 5 Jun 1917, while living at 2112 Jefferson, Toledo, OhioG, reporting he was employed as a salesman for Detroit Auto Cleaner Manufacturing Co. in Toledo.²⁴
     Wallace and Reanza moved to Lansing, MichiganG, shortly after that. They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 309 Townsend St. G, enumerated 16 Jan 1920, reporting they rented their home. Their son Raymond was listed as living with them.²⁵
      Wallace seems to have used the spelling MacNeill for his surname for a time. He signed his draft card in 1917 that way, and that is the spelling of the divorce papers from his first wife in 1937. Other records use the McNeill spelling.^4,11
     Wallace and Reanza appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 1112 Glenn St. G, enumerated 22 Apr 1930, reporting they rented their home, for $35 per month, and owned a radio. Their children Raymond and Dorothy were listed as living with them.²⁶
     Wallace and Reanza were divorced on 21 Dec 1937 in Ingham Co., MichiganG, after he filed 30 Aug 1937 on grounds of extreme and repeated cruelty.^11,12,13
     Wallace appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of Christine Loree Whitmore, his future wife, reporting he had lived in the same city in 1935.²⁷
     Wallace married second Christine Loree Whitmore, daughter of Frederick C. Whitmore and Grace Samantha Lee, on 6 Dec 1941 in Coldwater, Branch Co., MichiganG, with Rev. Herbert G. Hurrell officiating.^14,15
     Wallace registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living at 2332 Kensington Rd., Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, reporting he was employed by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors Corp.²⁸
     He was a salesman, reporting in 1940 he had not worked the last week of March, nor the prior year, and was seeking work.^29,30,31
     Wallace and Christine were divorced on 14 Feb 1948 in Ingham Co., MichiganG.¹⁶
     Wallace died on 7 Feb 1967 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, at age 75.^17,18 He was buried on 10 Feb 1967 in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lansing, MichiganG.¹⁹

Donald Matthew McNeill was born on 14 Jul 1893 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^4,5,6 Donald and his stillborn brother were twins.
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of his parents, Benjamin Franklin McNeill and Marguerite C. West.¹³
     He moved to MichiganG with his parents by 1907. He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.¹⁴
     Donald registered for the draft for World War I on 31 May 1917, while living at Lorraine Apt., Grand Rapids, MichiganG, reporting he was employed as a surveyor for the U.S. Land Office in Phoenix, Arizona.¹⁵
      Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army 15 Jul 1918. He served a a private in the 160th Demobilization Co., 302 Ammunition Train, 77th Division.^12,16 He returned from duty in Europe aboard the U.S.S. President Grant, departing Brest, FranceG, on 24 Apr 1919 and arriving in Hoboken, New Jersey, on 6 May 1919.¹⁷ He was discharged 20 May 1919.¹²
     He reported his occupation as a surveyor in the 1920 census, but was a mechanic by the end of that year.^18,19 He appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of his parents.²⁰
     Donald married Anna C. Johnson, daughter of Charles C. Johnson and Sophia Erickson, on 16 Nov 1920 in Mason, MichiganG, with Rev. H.. R. E. Quant officiating.^7,8,9
     Donald and Anna appeared with their daughter Patricia on the 1930 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of her parents.²¹
     Donald and Anna appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 113½ Mt. Hope Ave. G, enumerated 16 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $30 per month, and that they had lived in Lansing in 1935. Their daughter Patricia was listed as living with them.²²
     He was a driver for an automobile factory by 1930. By 1940 he was a clerk in a state liquor store, reporting he had worked 60 hours the last week of March, and 52 weeks the prior year, earning $1,500.^23,24 Donald registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living at 314 N. Pine, Lansing, MichiganG, reporting he was employed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, in Lansing.³
     Donald died on 18 Dec 1947 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, at age 54.^10,11 He was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lansing, MichiganG.¹²

Helen Josephine McNeill was born on 6 Jan 1900 in Chicago, Cook Co., IllinoisG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, G in the household of her parents, Benjamin Franklin McNeill and Marguerite C. West.¹³
     She moved to MichiganG with her parents by 1907. She appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, G in the household of her parents.¹⁴
     She moved to LansingG with her parents about 1917.^15,16 She appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, G in the household of her parents.¹⁷
     She was a clerk in an auto factory before her marriage.¹⁷
     She widely used her middle name, Josephine, as an adult. In addition to use of that name by family, both her marriage record and tombstone show her name as H. Josephine.^7,18,19
     Helen married John Lionel Leighton, son of William Joseph Leighton and Mary Grace Peck, on 26 Nov 1925 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, with Father Clarence J. Kane officating.^7,8,9
     Helen and John appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 1229 Mechanic St. G, reporting they owned a home valued at $4,000, and owned a radio. Their children were listed as living with them.²⁰
     Helen and John appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan, at 812 West Shiawasee G, enumerated 22 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $40 per month, and that they had lived in the same house in 1935. Their children were listed as living with them, as was his father.²¹
     Helen and John were living in 1368 Hickory St., Haslett, MichiganG, at the time of his death.²²
     Her husband died on 2 Feb 1964 in Detroit, MichiganG.^23,24
     Helen died on 30 Mar 1982 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MichiganG, at age 82.^10,11 She was buried in Deepdale Memorial Park, Delta Township, Eaton Co., MichiganG.¹²