John
O’Neil, for the past four years superintendent of the Macoupin county
poor farm, was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of October,
1842, a son of John and Nancy (Klingman) O’Neil, natives of Ireland and
Pennsylvania respectively. The father emigrated from the Emerald isle to
the United States in his early manhood, locating in Pottsville,
Pennsylvania, in 1832. There he engaged in railroad and canal
contracting for eighteen years. In 1851, with his wife and family, he
came to Illinois and during the first six months of his residence in
this state resided in Peoria. At the expiration of that period he came
to Carlinville to take a position on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, which
was being put through here at that time. Upon its completion he became
section foreman, continuing in that capacity until 1860, when he bought
a farm north of Shipman, this county. He subsequently settled upon that
place, continuing its operation until his demise on the 30th of June,
1879. His wife survived him until the 3rd of July, 1881.
A lad
of nine years when he left his native state, John O’Neil had already
begun his education, which was further pursued in the common schools of
Carlinville until he had attained the age of sixteen years. In 1858 he
laid aside his studies and apprenticed himself to a blacksmith, in whose
service he remained for three years. When the call came for troops in
1861 it aroused all of the young man’s patriotism and loyalty to his
native land, and he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry,
remaining at the front for three years and four months, at the
expiration of which period he was honorably discharged. When mustered
out he returned to Carlinville, where he followed his trade until 1868.
He then removed to Pittsfield, Pike county, this state, where he
established a blacksmith, wagon and carriage shop, that he conducted for
twenty-one years. In 1889 he disposed of his business and entered
political life, continuing to be identified with this for the ensuing
six years. He subsequently opened a shop, following his trade there
until 1901, when he removed to Girard, Macoupin county, and there
followed the same business until December, 1902, when he again entered
public life for four years, receiving his present appointment as
superintendent of the poor farm in March, 1907.
On the 20th of October, 1866, Mr. O’Neil was united in marriage
to Miss Kate Ford, a daughter of James and Nancy (Kerigan) Ford. Her
parents were both natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the
United States in 1850. They first located in St. Louis, Missouri, where
the father followed various occupations, later settling in Carlinville
in 1859. He was janitor of the courthouse for several years, continuing
to' make this his home until his death in 1893, at the venerable age of
ninety-three years. His wife survived until 1897, being eighty-four when
she passed away.
The religious affiliation of Mr. and Mrs.
O’Neil is with the Roman Catholic church, of which they are both
communicants. Politically he is a democrat and has always taken an
active interest in all public affairs. While living in Pike county he
served for four years as deputy county sheriff, following which he ran
for county sheriff but was defeated, and for two years he was city
marshal of Pittsfield. Upon his return to this county he entered
political life, again serving for four years as sheriff’s deputy. In
1906 he was a candidate for the office of sheriff but was defeated by
one hundred and twenty-eight votes by his republican opponent. Mr.
O’Neil is well qualified for his present duties, in the discharge of
which he is meeting with general approval.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 188-191.
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