BIO:  Col. James L. NEELY, Gettysburg, Adams County, PA

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 367

COL. JAMES L. NEELY (deceased) was born in Tyrone Township, Adams Co., Penn., 
February 20, 1801, and died at his residence in Straban Township, on the 23d of 
April, 1863.  He was of Scotch-Irish parentage.  His grandfather, Samuel Neely, 
having come from the North of Ireland in 1730, settled in what is now known as 
Tyrone Township, took up large quantities of land and raised a large family of 
children, among whom was James Neely, Esq., or as he was generally known 
“Spectacle Jimmy,” the father of the subject of this sketch.  Col. James L. 
Neely was a farmer by occupation, and never held office, except that in his 
early life he was elected colonel of a militia regiment, which position he held 
for a number of years.  In 1854 he was nominated by the Whig party as its 
candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated by the Know-nothing movement.  
He was married December 18, 1829, to Sarah Cassat, eldest daughter of Hon. Jacob 
Cassat, and by her had three daughters and two sons.  He prospered as a farmer 
and was able to give all his children the advantages of a good education.  He 
was a large, fine-looking man, of good address and correct habits; was prominent 
in the church and well and favorably known throughout the community.