FROM THE HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILL. 1863-1879 JOHN O'NEIL Whose death occurred June 30, 1879, was born in the county, Louth, Ireland, in November 1812, the son of Thomas O'Neil. He was raised in the same part of Ireland, and in 1836, when twenty-four years of age, emigrated to America. He landed in New York, and from there went to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he secured a position as foreman, and in charge of a gang, building the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad. He afterward had a similar situation at Catawissa, Pa.. and from that place went to work on the Schuylkill canal at Pottsville. While at work on the Catawissa railroad, he was married in February 1840 to Ann Klingeman, who was born in Catawissa, in Columbia County, Pa. Her ancestors were Germans and her great grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled in Berks County, Pa. June 1852 Mr. John O'Neil came west. After stopping at Peoria, he settled in Carlinville, having secured a position as foreman on the Chicago and Alton railroad, then being constructed through the county the track was laid from Alton to within two miles of Carlinville, and Mr. O'Neil worked on it till the road was finished, and afterward till 1860, held the position of section boss. February 1861, he moved to section 18, Hilyard township, where he bought 120 acres of unimproved land. This he went to work to put under cultivation. He had never farmed before, but won the reputation of being a good farmer, and owned 260 acres of land when he died. He had nine children, viz: Thomas D.; who died at the age of fourteen. Mary, wife of Michael Cooney, living north of Carlinville John O'Neil of Independence, Pike County James, living in Shipman township Annie, wife of Patrick Dillon, of Shipman Hugh; Owen, who is managing the farm. Henry, who is living in Shipman Stephen A. Douglas O'Neil, still living at home. Mr. O'Neil had been a democrat ever since he came to America, and always did what he could in aid of the democratic ticket. His death resulted from an accident. While getting into his buggy to drive to the town of Shipman, his horse startled and he was caught in the wheel, and suffered injuries from which he died in a short time. He had all the warm sympathies and impulses which belong to the Irish character, and possessed many friends. ------------------------------------------ Page 253, biographical sketches of Hilyard township. ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Mattli