"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 470.  Grant County.

WILLIAM NEAL

     One of the earliest pioneers to the state of Oregon, as well as to this
county, and one of the oldest men in the county today, the subject of this
sketch rightly deserves a place in the chronicles of Grant county, where he has
labored for the advancement of the interests of all, as well as faithfully
prosecuting the business enterprises that have been his occupation while
domiciled here.  A man of uprightness and integrity, he has shown also a
broadmindedness and public spirit that have won for him the warm approval of the
people and the confidence of his fellows.
     On April 3, 1815, William Neal was born to Louis and Millie Neal, in the
state of Indiana, in Bartholomew county, being the second white child born in
that state.  He was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty-two came to
Illinois, and there followed the same occupation until 1844, at which time he
migrated to Andrew county, Missouri, remaining there until the spring of 1850.
At that time he was moved by the reports from the west and came with a wagon
train of eight outfits to the Willamette valley, where he settled in Marion
county.  The trip consumed six months, and was without unusual event, save that
at the crossing of the Platte river the wagon capsized and the provisions were
lost, and then on the Snake there occurred a skirmish with the Indians.  He took
a donation claim in Marion county, and gave his attention to farming and stock
raising until 1868, when he came east of the mountains.  From Heppner to his
present residence, six miles west from Monument, he drove the first wagon that
had been brought into these regions.  He took up government land and went to
raising stock and farming.  Prosperity has attended his efforts and he has today
one-half section of land there besides four hundred and forty acres in the
Willamette valley.  His home place is well improved, having a good house, barn
and out building, besides the necessary fence and other things indispensable on
a well regulated farm.  During the Indian trouble in 1878 he endured much
hardship and lost heavily, as did many other settlers.  In political matters he
is with the Republican party and is active in advocating just government, while
in educational matters he is ever at the front.  Energetic, enterprising, and
dominated by a sagacity that is able to discern the best investments and
methods, he has made an unbounded success.
     The marriage of Mr. Neal and Miss Mahala M. Parker was solemnized in
Indiana and to them have been born the following children:  Louis, married to
Matilda Cox, and living in Wallowa county; Julatha, wife of John Trask, of
Marion county, now deceased; Minerva M., married to A. C. Christman of Linn
county; John, married to Esther Wagner, of Marion county; Marguerette, wife of
John McCulley of Lake county; Napoleon B., married to Lizzie Munkers, and living
on the home place; Martha A., wife of Joseph Putnam, near Monument.  Mrs. Neal
was born in Indiana, Bartholomew county, on May 19, 1813, and in that state.  On
May 18, 1901, she was called from the scenes and cares of life to the world
beyond, having lived on this earth for eighty-eight years, lacking one day.  Mr.
Neal is spending the golden years of his life in the home that his skill and
industry wrought out for him from the wilds of nature, and here he is highly
respected by all and is one of the substantial and leading citizens of the
county.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.