BIOGRAPHY: John Thomas O'Neal , Fremont County, Iowa Copyright c) May 2001 by Terry Girardot. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legalrepresentative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ********************************************************************* John Thomas O’Neal Born 27 Jan 1850 - Madison Twp, Fremont, Iowa Died 20 Sep 1895 - Madison, Twp, Fremont, Iowa Biographical History of Fremont and Mills Counties, 1901 John Thomas O'Neal, now deceased, was numbered among the respected and well-known farmers of Madison Twp., Fremont County, where he died on the 20th of September 1899. In his death the community lost one of its valued citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family, a loving husband and father. He was born January 27, 1850, in this township, on the farm of his father, now the James Utterback place. Before coming to Fremont County the parents of our subject lived for a time in Buchanan County, Missouri. His father was a native of Virginia, became one of the first settlers of this part of Fremont County, and died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, loved by all who knew him for his many good qualities and kindness of heart. He married Delilah Ann Morgan, who was a sister of T. O. Morgan, a prominent citizen of Illinois, and she passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. She was an earnest Christian woman holding membership in the Baptist church, and was beloved by all. Both parents died in the year 1891, and were buried in one grave. They had two children: Mrs. Catherine Wing and John Thomas. The son was reared upon the old homestead farm and was early taught the value of industry and honesty in the affairs of life. The public schools afforded him his mental training and he remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred on the 23rd of March 1879, the lady of his choice being Lucinda Copeland, whose intelligence and culture made her a most compassionable and estimable wife. She was born in southern Illinois, April 7, 1858, a daughter of Richard Copeland, a native of Tennessee and a son of Mark Copeland, who was also born in that state. After arriving at years of maturity Richard Copeland married Sarah Poston, who was born in Tennessee. At the time of the Civil War he joined the Union army and died in the service at Vicksburg, leaving a widow and six children to mourn his loss. The record of his sons and daughters is as follows: Mark, who is living in Hamburg, Iowa; Tennessee, the wife of S. Beason, of Nebraska City; Henry, who is living in New York City; Harriet, who was the wife of Jefferson Watterson and died in Hamburg, Iowa, at the age of thirty-seven; Mrs. J. T. O'Neal; and John, of Omaha, Nebraska. The mother and children came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Montgomery County, where she had a brother, Newton Poston. She took up her abode there that he might advise and assist her with her family. After two years, however, she went to Clarinda, Iowa, where she obtained a situation as weaver in a wooden factory and thus supported her children. Subsequently she became the wife of Eli Hiatt and removed to Hamburg, where she died at the age of sixty-seven years. She was a member of the Baptist church and lived a consistent Christian life. She experienced many troubles and trials and saw much sorrow, but she performed the part of a noble mother toward her children, and her kindness of heart won her the respect of all who knew her. Her daughter, Mrs. Lucinda O'Neal, was reared in Illinois and Iowa, and acquired her education in the latter state. At the age of nineteen years she gave her hand in marriage to John T. O'Neal, and for two years thereafter they resided on the old homestead, and then came to the farm on which Mrs. O'Neal still lives. He was a very industrious and energetic man and was an excellent judge of stock, and by his farming and stock-raising interests he made considerable money. He became well-to-do and left a valuable property of three hundred and forty acres, on which are a modern residence, that was erected at a cost of twenty-five dollars, good barns, sheds and cribs. Everything about the place is kept in excellence shape, the fields being highly cultivated and yielding a good return for the labors of the owner. The home of Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal was blessed with four children: John Carleton, Ralph Ivan, Nellie C., and Ruth Irene, aged respectively, twenty-one, fourteen, eleven and seven years. They lost their second child, Elliot H., who died at the age of five years.In his political views Mr. O'Neal was a Democrat, but never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs, in which he mere with gratifying success. His personal appearance was pleasing. He was five feet, ten inches in height and weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds. His manners were cordial and genial and he was a popular man, well known for his many excellent qualities and for his free hospitality. He died in September 1899, at the age of forty-none years, leaving many friends as well as his family to mourn his loss. Mrs. O'Neal is still living on the home place, where she is surrounded with all the comforts of life. She is a member of the Baptist church and is doing the utmost in her power to fill both the mother's and father's places in her household. Her excellent qualities and strong characteristics are many and her life is worthy of emulation.