Biography of Jacob McNeal
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 1004
JACOB McNEAL, carriage-manufacturer, Notary Public and conveyancer, Jefferson, is a son of Jacob, Sr., and Matilda (Fought) McNeal, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they matured and married. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and she of German. They came to Ohio in May, 1837, with a family of nine children. The great National pike was then completed to about the center of Madison County, Ohio. They had traveled the road many miles, and had not decided where they would settle until they reached Jefferson. There learning that they were nearing the end of the great road, they thought they could not leave such a convenience, and accordingly located a short distance west of Jefferson, where he purchased a well-improved farm of 120 acres. He remained on the farm a number of years, but finally removed to Jefferson and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed until his death. He was a good citizen, and, at the time of his death, was serving his twelfth term as Township Trustee. His widow still survives, at the age of seventy-seven years. Of their nine children, our subject, who was the only son, has now five sisters living. Jacob, Jr., was the second child. He was born in Cumberland County, Penn., December 16, 1825, but, from a boy of twelve years, he lived in Ohio. His father, different from some men, regarded a trade an indispensable possession, and accordingly had Jacob to commence learning the trade of his choice at the age of eighteen years. He served his apprenticeship in Jefferson with John McCrea, and completed is trade in 1846, since which he has conducted a business of his own, and is now the only manufacturer of the kind in the village. He employs usually about seven hands. He has served as Township Clerk several terms, and has been otherwise connected with the interests of the township. At present, he is a Notary Public and conveyancer. He and wife have a family of five children living and four deceased. Mrs. McNeal is a daughter of the venerable pioneer, Nehemiah Gates, elsewhere mentioned in this volume.
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