NEAL GENEALOGY
ALSO NEIL, O'NEAL, O'NEIL, O'NEILL and all variations
SURNAMES CONNECTED TO "NEAL":
BELLINGER, BENNETT, CHRISTIE, COOLEY, FLAHAVEN, JONES, KASSOW, MARTIN, PARKER, PARKS, PURDY, ROARMON, STANTON, STAUNTON, WALKER, WESTCOTT, WOODARD, WOODWARD
The blazon of arms for the O'Neal coat of arms is as follows;
"Silver; Two Red Lions facing each other, holding together, a red left hand with the palm showing, placed vertically; All accompanied in top by three red stars placed side by side and in the base a naturally colored salmon in naturally colored water."
THE RED HAND OF ULSTER
"The Legend Of The Bloody Hand"
"The Red Hand of Ulster's a paradox quite,
To Baronets 'tis said to belong;
If they use the left hand, they're sure to be right,
And to use the right hand would be wrong.
For the Province, a different custom applies,
And just the reverse is the rule;
If you use the right hand you'll be right, safe and wise,
If you use the left hand you're a fool."
The Red Hand of Ulster (In Irish Lámh Dhearg Uladh) is a symbol used in Heraldry to denote the Irish Province of Ulster. It is also to a lesser extent known as the Red Hand of O'Neill and the Red Hand of Ireland. Its origins are said to be attributed to the son of the Celtic sun god Labraid Lámh Dhearg (Labraid of the Red Hand) and appear in other mythical tales passed down from generation to generation in the oral tradition. Some versions of the image have the thumb open from the rest of the hand such as Tyrone GAA's crest, or appear as a left hand. The symbol is strongly rooted to Irish Gaelic culture and in particular, the Irish Gaels of Ulster such as the O'Neills and associated Ulster Gaelic clans pre-17th Century.
According to myth, Ulster had at one time no rightful Heir. Because of this it was agreed that a boat race should take place (possibly in Strangford Lough) and that "whosoever's hand is the first to touch the shore of Ulster, so shall he be made the king".
One potential king so loved and desired Ulster that, upon seeing that he was losing the race, he cut off his hand and threw it to the shore — thus winning the kingship. The hand is most likely red to represent the fact that it would have been covered in blood.
SIDNEY ELIPHALET NEAL
(Also known as Sidney Earl NEAL, Sidney O'NEAL, S. E. NEAL, NEIL, O'NEIL etc.)
1834-1901
Sidney E. NEAL was born October 02, 1834 in "Lower Canada" which is probably Quebec or Ontario. On the census records he has stated being born in either Canada or New York. The father of Sidney NEAL may be "Eliphalet NEAL" , but that has not been verified. The mother remains unknown (may be "Lucy UNKNOWN" listed in census below).
There is an "Eliphalet NEAL" listed in the 1840 Census for Crown Point, Essex County, NY.
On the 1850 Census for Crown Point, Essex County, NY, there is an "Elisha NEAL" listed. I believe this may be the same person as "Eliphalet NEAL" listed in 1840.
The following was recorded in the 1850 US Census for Crown Point, Essex County, New York dated 20 August 1850:
Elisha Neal, male, 50 years old, occupation of farmer, born in New York;
Lucy Neal, female, 45 years old, born in New York;
Hannah Neal, female, 24 years old, born in New York;
Sidney Neal, male, 16 years old, born in New York, attended school during the past year;
Walter Neal, male, 15 years old, born in New York, attended school during the past year;
Helen Neal, female, 12 years old, born in New York, attended school during the past year;
Mary Neal, female, 9 years old, born in New York, attended school during the past year;
William Neal, male, 6 years old, born in New York, attended school during the past year.
Sidney NEAL married by 1859 to Eliza STANTON, probably in WI or MN.
NOTE: James Wescott NEAL's death record states that the maiden name of Eliza was "PURDY". This information may not be correct and has never been verified. In the book "The History Of Stearns County" Eliza STANTON is listed as Sidney NEAL's first wife. There are numerous STANTON's living in the same areas during the same times as Sidney NEAL (verified by census records).
CHILD OF SIDNEY NEAL AND ELIZA STANTON:
JAMES WESTCOTT NEAL b. September 13, 1859, Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois; d. February 02, 1928, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota
Sidney NEAL is next recorded on the 1860 census for the town of Lillian, Goodhue County, MN.
FROM: 1860 CENSUS, LILLIAN, GOODHUE COUNTY MINNESOTA, dated June 12, 1860
NEIL S E 26 M W CANA MN GOODHUE LILLIAN 1860
Wife Eliza age 16 born Wisconsin
son James age 9 1/2 months born Illinois
Note: Sidney and Eliza NEAL were known to have been in Mt. Vernon Jefferson County IL in 1859. On the 1860 census for Mt Vernon, there is an "Eliphant NEAL" listed. Next door to him is a "James WESTCOTT".
I believe that this is the same person as "Elisha NEAL" who is on the 1850 census for NY. Since Sidney and Eliza NEAL named their son "WESTCOTT" for a middle name. there must be a connection between the two families.
FROM: 1860 CENSUS, MT VERNON, JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL
ELIPHANT NEAL age 70 b. NY
Wife Rachel, age 60, b. NY
Son William age 18, b. NY
Next door to them is:
James WESTCOTT age 33 b. Ohio
Wife Talitha age 32, b. VT
Son Thomas E. age 15, b. IL
Daughter Sarah E. age 13, b. IL
Son James Jr age 6, b. IL
Son Stephen D. age 2, b. IL
Sidney's wife, Eliza STANTON NEAL died by 1864, probably in MN or Iowa. Family legend says it was in a snowstorm.
Sidney NEAL is next recorded in Illinois in 1864.
On May 19. 1864, Sidney NEAL married Hannah Mariah JONES, Hannah was born July 2, 1849 in Yates County, New York daughter of Livingston JONES and Hannah WOODWARD (WOODARD). They were married in Rockford, Wiinnebago County, IL
The following was recorded in the 1870 US Census for the City of Cannon, Rice County, Minnesota, dated 1 July 1870, page number 2: S. E. Neal, 35 years old, white, male, occupation of farmer with a real estate value of $2,000 and a personal property value of $500, born in Canada, both parents were born outside the US, a citizen of the US able to vote; Hannah, 22 years old, white, female, occupation of housekeeper, born in New York; James, 10 years old, white, male, occupation of "at home", born in Illinois; Franklin, 5 years old, white, male, born in Illinois; Charley, 3/12 year old, white, male, born in Minnesota. Note that all three children had their father born outside the US and their mother born within the US.
The 1880 US Census for Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, dated 9 June 1880 (page 28) lists the following: Sidney Neal, age 46, farmer, born in New York, with both parents born in New York; Hannah Neal, age 32, housekeeper, born in New York, with both parents born in New York; James Neal, age 20, farm hand, born in Illinois with both parents born in New York; Frank Neal, age 15, farm hand, born in Illinois, with both parents born in New York; Charles Neal, age 10, student, born in Minnesota, with both parents born in New York; Vernon Neal, age 8, student, born in Minnesota, with both parents born in New York; Berton Neal, age 4, student, born in Minnesota, with both parents born in New York
The following was recorded in the 1900 US Census for Ozawkie, Jefferson County, Kansas, dated 19 June 1900, sheet 10:
Sidney E. Neal, head of household, born October 1834, 65 years old, married for 36 years, born in New York, father born in New York, mother born in New York, occupation of hotel proprietor who rents the home he lives in, able to read and write, speaks English; Hannah Neal, wife, born July 1849, 50 years old, married for 36 years, mother of 6 children of whom 5 are still living, born in New York, father born in New York, mother born in New York, no occupation, able to read and write, speaks English; Allen G. Neal, son, born May 1885, 15 years old, single, born in Minnesota, father born in New York, mother born in New York, attending school, able to read and write, speaks English. Also listed are 3 unrelated boarders, leading to the belief that the hotel was also the Neal residence.
Children of SIDNEY NEAL and HANNA JONES:
FRANK W. NEAL b. April 30, 1865, Pecatonia, Winnebago County, Illinois died 1/26/1914 Trenton Mo. Frank was a conductor for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad and was killed in a train accident. Burial: Maple Grove Cemetery, Grundy County, MO
CHARLES A. NEAL b. February 21, 1870, Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota. Death: 24 SEP 1943 in Crow Wing County, MN
VERNON J. NEAL b. September 5, 1871, Cannon City, Minnesota Marriage: Mary C. ROARMON (b: 1881) on 26 SEP 1897 in Osawkie Jefferson County, KS Death: 17 DEC 1947 in Blue Earth County, MN
BERTON NEAL b. June 25, 1876, Mapleton, Minnesota
ALLEN GLEN NEAL b. May 7, 1885, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota. Married Lulu Charlotte BENNETT b: ABT 1885
SIDNEY D. NEAL b. October 5. 1888, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota Death: 1 DEC 1891 in KS
Sidney E. NEAL died died February 13, 1901 near Topeka, Kansas. Cause of death is believed to be tetanus from "pricking his thumb on a tack" according to son Allen.
OBITUARY From Oskaloosa Independent of 1 March 1901, page 4, col. 5
S. E. Neal was born in Canada October 2, 1834. After an illness, about five days, he departed this life at Topeka, Kan. Feb. 13, 1901, aged 66years, 4months, and 11 days. His parents moved to New York in his infancy. In about his 26th year he moved to Wisconsin, thence to Illinois at the age of 28, he left Illinois for Iowa in 1866; from Iowa to Minnesota in 1869; from Minnesota to Kansas in 1896. In the state of Illinois, May 19, 1864, he was united in marriage to Hannah M. Jones.He helper her to bare (sic) the burdens of his life for about 36 years. To this union was born six sons; also one son to a former wife; one son preceded him in death. He leaves awife, six sons and many friends to mourn. He was a kind husband and an affectionate father. His funeral was conducted by Rev. N. McAferty in the U.B. church at Ozawkie, Kan. and the remains laid to rest in the cemetery nearby.
Source: Tombstone Inscriptions and Burials - Jefferson County, Kansas - 1854-1986, compiled by
The Jefferson County Genealogical Society, Oskaloosa, Kansas - S.E. NEAL, born 2 Oct 1834; died 13 Feb 1901; buried in Ozawkie Cemetery.
JAMES WESTCOTT NEAL
1859-1928
JAMES WESTCOTT NEAL was born September 13, 1859 in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, and died February 02, 1928 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
He married CLARA JANE PARKS on May 16, 1883 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, daughter of ISAAC PARKS and MARGARET MARTIN. She was born June 04, 1866 in St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota, and died April 19, 1945 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota.
Children of JAMES NEAL and CLARA PARKS:
Sidney Earl NEAL born in Birchdale Township, Todd County on May 10, 1884, died on January 7, 1898.Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN
Dell Roy NEAL born in Sauk Centre, Stearns County on February 1, 1887, died on February 22, 1913. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN
Howard Lester NEAL born in Sauk Centre, Stearns County on June 27, 1888, married on July 28, 1920 to Lavena FLAHAVEN, who was a local school teacher in Stearns County, MN. Howard NEAL died 12 MAY 1960 in Renton, King County, WA
Virden Allen NEAL born in Sauk Centre, Stearns County on February 19, 1890, married April 9, 1912 in St Cloud MN to Katherine KASSOW. Virden NEAL died 8 FEB 1951 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN
Harry James NEAL born in Birchdale, Todd County on Aug 1, 1891, married November 25, 1929 to Sarah BELLINGER.
NOTE: Harry NEAL is listed in the 1910 census for Devil's Lake , Ramsey County, ND. He was working as a "Teamster" on street construction. I have numerous pictures of linemen placing utilty poles and power lines in the Devil's Lake, ND area. I believe they are from the 1910's era and were Harry's pictures. I am trying to verify them. If you would like to see them, send me an e-mail and I will forward them to you. Hopefully, someone will be able to identify them!
Harry NEAL died 17 MAR 1956 in Mesa, AZ.
Lila Belle NEAL born in Sauk Centre, Stearns County on September 8, 1894, married October 2, 1917 in in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN to Fred Henry WALKER b: 4 May 1896 in Crab Orchard, Johnson County, NE. Lila Belle (NEAL) WALKER died 9 Feb 1954 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN
Mary Ann NEAL (Maymie) born October 3, 1900 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, married on September 27, 1924 to John Fordyce COOLEY. Maymie died MAR 1986 in Kansas City, MO. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN
Ruth Margaret NEAL born on April 16, 1902 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County. Ruth NEAL died 27 MAY 1981 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN. She is buried in Greenwood Cemetery next to Mary NEAL Cooley.
Benjamin Franklin NEAL born on February 9, 1904 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, married on January 21, 1928 in Indiana to Evelyn PARKER. Benjamin NEAL died 28 JUL 1963 in Cathage Indiana.
Bert NEAL ca 1910
Bert Everett NEAL born on February 24, 1906 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, married on September 15, 1930 in St Cloud, Stearns County, MN to Ruby Rosella CHRISTIE. Bert NEAL died 3 JUN 1987 in Renton, King County, WA. Bert is buried in Mt Olivet Cemetery in Renton, Washington next to Ruby (CHRISTIE) NEAL, who died 18 June 2006 in University Place, Pierce County, WA.
James Westcott NEAL died February 2, 1928 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN.
His obituary in the February 9, 1928 Sauk Centre Herald reads as follows:
"James Wescott Neal, who has been suffering with chronic heart trouble for the past two years, died at the family home northeast of Sauk Centre Thursday, Feb. 2, 1928, at 7:15 A.M. Mr. Neal suffered a paralytic stroke Jan. 1, and another Feb. 1, failing to rally from the last stroke. James Wescott Neal was born at Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, Sept. 13, 1859, being 68 years, four months and 19 days old at the time of his death. At the age of four he moved with his parents to Iowa where his mother passed away. Later the family moved to southern Minnesota, still later locating at Sauk Centre, where he spent the remainder of his days.
On May 16, 1883, Mr. Neal united in marriage to Miss Clara Parks, also of Sauk Centre. To this union were born ten children, two sons, Roy and Earl having preceded him in death. Those left to mourn are the heart broken widow; Howard L. and Virgil A. of Sauk Centre; Harry J., of Green Castle, Indiana; Mrs. F. H. Walker, of Sauk Centre; Mrs. J. F. Cooley and Ben Neal, of Sullivan, Indiana; and Ruth and Bert, at home. There are 14 grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
The funeral was held from the home Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2:00 P.M., Rev. R. A. Crickmer, rector of the Good Samaritan Episcopal church, officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery.
The following children from away attended the funeral: Harry Neal, New Castle, Ind.; Ben Neal and Mrs. J. F. Cooley, of Sullivan, Ind.
The deceased was an honest and hard working citizen; genial in contact with his fellowmen. A large number of old friends sympathize with the family in their bereavement."
BERT EVERETT NEAL
1906-1987
Bert Everett NEAL was born February 24, 1906 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN. He was the youngest of 10 children born to James Westcott NEAL and Clara Jane PARKS. When he was young, the family lived next to the LEWIS family. "Doc" LEWIS was the father of the author Sinclair LEWIS. Bert's wife Ruby CHRISTIE NEAL was a seamstress for the LEWIS family.
Bert NEAL met Ruby CHRISTIE in August 1930 when Ruby was working her first day of employment at Ruth NEAL's boarding house. Bert fell in love with Ruby at first site and told Ruby that he was going to marry her. Ruby stated that she was not even "of age yet" and would not be until her birthday on September 1st. Bert stated that he would be at her door on her birthday with a ring.On September 1st, 1930, Bert appeared at Ruby CHRISTIE's door with a ring and asked Ruby to marry him. They were married two weeks later on September 15, 1930, 6 weeks after their first meeting.
Without telling anyone, Bert had sold the family car in order to get the money for the ring. Clara NEAL had to walk to the car dealership and buy it back!
(Story told to me by Ruby CHRISTIE NEAL)
They were married for 56 years.
September 15, 1930