Obituary of William Mitchell Cox Neel of Jackson County, Florida

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through Brian and Lynne Walters, cobolt@foothills.net

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William Mitchell Cox Neel's Obituary- In Memoriam- Departed this life 
at the home of his son-in-law, H. M. Fulgham, in Jackson Co., FL, at 
ten minutes past two o'clock, on the morning of August 28th, 1899, 
William M. C. Neel, aged 89 years, 9 months and 3 days, being the 
oldest and the last to die of a family of sixteen children.  The 
subject of this sketch, the son of Daniel O and Sarah Neel, was born in 
Laurens County, GA, Nov. 25th, 1809, moved with his parents to what was 
then Early, now Decatur County, GA., during the month of February in 
the year 1822, and settled eight miles below what was then known as 
Fort Hughes, now Bainbridge, GA, where he resided until he attained his 
majority. December 18th 1882, he was united in marriage to Mary P.  
Willis from which union there were five children, two of whom survive 
him. Moved to Jackson County, Florida, July 11th 1835 and settled near 
Neel's landing and engaged in farming. Some years later he moved and 
established a merchantile business. He was also engaged in the milling 
business. In the year 1845, he was elected as one of the 
representatives from Jackson County and became one of the members of 
the first state Legislature of Florida, being re-elected in 1845 and 
again in 1848. In religons belief he was a Primitive Baptist, in 
political faith a Henry Clay whig, at whose shrine he was a devount 
worshipper and in company with a friend, visited Columbus, Georgia 
where he met and heard that great whig leader during the presidental 
campaign of 1844. In the autumn of 1855, he was elected as one of the 
representatives from Jackson County in the first legislative body after 
the late civil war; his colleagues being J. M. F. Erwin, Henry Robinson 
and L. O. Armistend, with Thomas M. White as State Senator all of whom 
proceeded him to the grave.  Upon the organization of the Republican 
party in this State in the year 1808 he was nominated by a convention 
of fellow citizens as the Democratic candidate for the State Senate, 
but after an active cmpaign was in the election that followed with the 
remainder of the ticket defeated. After the death of his wife, April 
1862, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Harriet E.  Belsher from which 
union there were two daughters and a son all of whom survive. He 
continued his residence at his old home near Neel's Landing after the 
death of his second wife in July 1897, until December 1898, when his 
children thinking it best he decided to spend his remaining days with 
them. For more than two years past he had been quite feeble and at 
several time it was thought the end was near, but for some wise purpose 
his life was spared- the brittle thread of life was gently lengthened 
out until he quietly fell asleep as we trust in Christ. In his 
declining years he had every attention paid to him that human agency 
could devise: nothing left undone that would have added to his ease and 
comfort. His children, sons-in-law and kindred were extremely kind- his 
eldest daughter was a constant attendant, remaining with him to the 
end, kindly adminstering to his every need, doing everything for his 
comfort. In all these trying scenes not a murmur escaped him but bore 
his afflictions whith christian fortitude. Though having never put on 
Christ by an open profession of faith, yet he expressed himself as 
being prepared for death, patiently and calmly awaiting the summons. As 
a husband and father he was kind, and indulgent- as a friend, firm and 
steadfast. In the presence of relatives and a large conenurie of 
friends his remains were gently and lovingly laid to rest- the last 
rites which were solemn and impressive being conducted by Rev. Daniel 
Crenmer who gave words of comfort and consolation to his sorrowing 
children, relatives, and friends.

Sent in by: Elizabeth Pippen Walters