MILLARD D. McNEIL

Passed Beyond in Late Afternoon Friday, April 16

(1915)

   Millard D. McNeil, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Oxford, passed away last Friday afternoon at his home on Washington avenue after an illness of two weeks.

   Mr. McNeil was born on the farm below the village, now owned by Mrs. Alice E. McCall, September 12, 1844.  He was the youngest son of Andrew M. and Eliza Smith McNeil, and a descendant of John McNeil, a pioneer, and his wife, Mary Wise McNeil, who with their two sons, Ira and Luman, came to Oxford in February, 1791.

   His youthful days were spent upon the farm and in attending the District school, finishing his education at Oxford Academy.  He taught school one term, which vocation did not appeal to him and he secured a clerkship at a small salary in the store of William Balcom, at that time the leading groceryman of Oxford.  Here he laid the foundation for his future business career and after a few years entered the dry goods business, associated with his brother, George L. McNeil, and Cyrus A. Bacon, the latter having been a prominent merchant and postmaster of the town.  After a short time the partnership was dissolved and Mr. McNeil accepted a clerkship in the mercantile firm of Clarke Brothers, which eventually led to his entrance into the firm as junior partner.  Retiring from the business in 1885, he embarked in the grocery trade with the late W. A. Carl, whose interest he subsequently purchased and conducted the business until he disposed of it to Whitney & Pughe upon his appointment as postmaster by President McKinley in 1899.  He was reappointed by President Roosevelt in 1903.  At the end of his second term he retired to private life.

   Mr. McNeil was a Past Master of Oxford Lodge, No. 175, F. & A. M., a member of Oxford Chapter, No. 254, R. A. M., and a charter member of Sappho Hose company, No. 1, being one of three who were the prime movers in reorganizing the company from Lady Washington Hose company in the winter of 1873, and he was also a member of the Sappho Hose club.

   The death of Mr. McNeil removes, not only a man who was held in high regard by his more immediate friends, but one who was, in a distinct sense, a leading citizen of Oxford.  He was loved and revered in his home and esteemed by his neighbors, and his death brings sincere sorrow to those who knew him.

   On January 8, 1868, Mr. McNeil was married to Miss Mary A. Flagg of Smithville, and is survived by her.  He also leaves two sons, Major Clarence H. McNeil, now stationed at Manila, P. I., and Frederick A. McNeil, teller First National Bank of Oxford.  In addition to these he is survived by two brothers, George L. McNeil and Clark McNeil of this town.

   The funeral service was held at the home on Sunday afternoon at 1:30, the Rev. Theodore Haydn officiating.  The committal service at Riverview cemetery was conducted by Oxford Lodge, a large number of the Masonic fraternity attending.

NOTE:  DATE WAS HAND-WRITTEN ON THE ARTICLE.

THIS IS AN IMAGE OF THE STORE OWNED AND OPERATED BY MR. McNEIL.