An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 319-320 HON. JAMES O'NEILL, who has long been identified with the growth and development of the great Northwest, is now State Senator of the Second District, comprising the counties of Spokane and Stevens. Mr. O'Neill was born in Schenectady county, New York, in 1826, the oldest in the family of five children of James E. and Elizabeth (Marsh) O'Neill. His father was a native of Ireland, and his mother of New York. Grandfather James O'Neill came to America in 1812, first settled in New York city, and afterward moved to Schenectady county, where he spent the rest of his life and died. He was a tanner by trade. Grandfather Silas Marsh, a native of Connecticut, was also one of the pioneers of Schenectady county. He kept a hotel and a fine farm. His death occurred in that county. James E. O'Neill was fifteen years old when he went with his father to Schenectady county, and in that county he spent his life. He built a store at Duanesburg, conducted business there from 1819 to 1876, and died in 1878. His wife lived until 1887 or 1888. James received his education in the public schools and in the Albany and Gallupville academies. He began clerking in his father's store, and was afterward employed as clerk in Albany until 1849, when he engaged in business for himself as a provision merchant. In 1851 he went to New York, and conducted a similar business in that city until 1853. That year he came West, making the journey via the Isthmus of Panama, and upon his arrival in Oregon, located in Oregon City. He was agent for Wells, Fargo & Co. until the fall of 1857. After a visit to New York in 1858, he settled in Portland in 1859, and engaged in business there until 1861. He was soon afterward appointed teacher and superintendent of the Nez Perces, and was in charge of that tribe of Indians until 1868. Then he returned to New York, again engaged in the provision business there, and remained until 1878. Coming back to Washington that year, he was appointed farmer for the Coeur d' Alene Indians, which position be filled until 1887, and during that time materially advanced the interests of the Indians. He resigned in 1887. He had also been Postmaster of Che-we-lah for some time, and that position he resigned the following year. In 1881 he was representative to the Territorial Legislature from Stevens and Spokane counties. In 1888 he was elected County Auditor of Stevens county, filling the office two years. In the fall of 1889 he was elected to his present position, that of Senator, for a term of four years. While a member of the Territorial Legislature he put the bill through, incorporating Spokane Falls in 1881. In the Senate he is now serving as chairman of the Committees on Indian Affairs and Mines and Mining, and is also a member of the Committee on Internal Improvements. The Major, as he is familiarly called, has always taken an active part in political affairs. At his majority he was a Whig, and continued as such until the Republican party was organized. In 1855 he was a delegate to the first Whig convention ever held in Oregon, held at Corvallis. He was one of the leading spirits at Oregon City all the time he resided there. In 1856 he was elected Mayor of Portland, and in 1857 was re-elected to the same position. He was a delegate to the Seattle Convention in 1892. Mr. O'Neill was married, in 1849, to Miss Caroline M. Grinnell, a native of New York. She died in 1871, leaving one child, Kate, now the wife of W. W. Tompkins, of New York city. A great reader, an extensive traveler, a close observer of men and affairs, possessing a genial disposition, being a good converser and having a fund of reminiscences, he is indeed an agreeable and entertaining gentleman. He was a citizen of two Territories when they were vested with the dignity of Statehood, has witnessed the various changes which have taken place on the Pacific coast during the past four decades, and has not only been a witness to these changes but has also taken an active part in them, aiding materially in advancing the best interests of the great Northwest. As public official, municipal, county and State, he has discharged his trust with the strictest fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.