Biographical Sketch of Edward B. Neely, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Edward B. Neely, was born in Accomac County, Virginia, December 25,
1828.  He enjoyed the benefits of early and classical training under
his father, Professor John Neely, a gentleman of fine attainments as
a linguist and great ability as a teacher.  Edward, in his seventeenth
year, entered the junior class of Washington College, Pennsylvania, 
and soon after was appointed tutor of ancient languages.  He was grad-
uated with honor in 1847, and commenced his life work of teaching,
accepting the position of assistant in an academy near Baltimore.  A
year later he went to his native county and conducted a select school,
and upon the death of his father succeeded him as principal of Margaret
Academy, in East Virginia.  From the first was an enthusiastic and
successful teacher.  He was married, May 5, 1852, to Miss Charlotte
Slagle, daughter of Hon. Jacob Slagle, of Washington, Pennsylvania.
He moved to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1854, and in connection with a
fellow student, established an academy, infusing into the management
and teaching his individuality and enthusiasm.  His associate soon
turned his attention to commercial pursuits, leaving Mr. Neely in sole
charge of the academy, and he soon won for himself and school the con-
fidence and support of the people.  Upon the organization of the St.
Joseph Public School system in 1860, he consented to become principal
of the High School.  The public schools were suspended during the late
civil war, and Mr. Neely again opened his private school.  In 1864, 
the public schools were reopened, and Mr. Neely was unanimously appoint-
ed Superintendent.  So ably and wisely did he fill this position that
he has held it ever since.  From this point on, the history of St.
Joseph Public schools and that of Mr. Neely are synonymous.  In 1866, 
he was President of the Missouri State Teacher's Association, and was
the same year, also, County Superintendent of Public Schools, receiving
for that position a vote far in excess of any party strength.  He was
in 1870, appointed a member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal
Schools, and by that Board elected its President.  The best evidence
of Mr. Neely's ability, enthusiasm and success as a teacher is shown
in the fact that he has been for seventten consecutive terms elected
Superintendent of the St. Joseph Public Schools, and was for six years
and a half of that time County Superintendent of Schools, each time
elected with an increased majority.  The Board of Public Schools have
honored themselves and complimented him by naming one of their finest
buildings the "Neely School".  Mr. Neely's professional standing is 
well attested in the above outline of his career.  He is a genial,
studious, hardworking, painstaking gentleman, of great administrative
ability, who infuses into his teachers much of his own individuality,
and makes him home as pleasant and charming as his public life is un-
blemished, honorable and successful.

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