Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Ancestors of Thomas Benjamin McNeill

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Ancestors of Thomas Benjamin McNeill

Generation No. 2

      2. Thomas Franklin McNeill, born November 20, 1871 in Patoka, Marion Co., IL ⁴; died January 27, 1952 in Galva, Henry Co., IL ⁵. He was the son of 4. John Emery McNeill and 5. Clara Rodgers. He married 3. Jemima Ann Giles January 07, 1898 in Sandoval, Marion Co., IL.

      3. Jemima Ann Giles, born May 07, 1876 in Murphysboro, Jackson Co., IL ⁶; died February 08, 1970 in Tucson, Pima Co., AZ ⁷. She was the daughter of 6. William Jay Giles and 7. Jemima Ann Yates.

Notes for Thomas Franklin McNeill:
It is difficult to determine when or where Thomas F. McNeill began his career as a railroad telegraph operator. It is known that he was in the Oklahoma Territory for a while before he returned to Illinois and settled down to work for the Illinois Central Railroad in the 1890's. There is a question as to where he began because in 1918 he was presented with a medallion for twenty five years service as a railroad telegrapher. In March 1934 the Illinois Central Railroad recognized him for 40 years service. He worked in various stations before he was assigned to the telegraph office in Champaign, IL where he retired in 1940. After his retirement he lived in IL, MD, and AZ.
He did not really retire. He was an accomplished finish carpenter, an artist, a gardener and an inventor. In the spring, summer and fall he would always spend a few hours a day in his garden where he was able to grow more than the family could eat. There are several items that he developed in the 1930's and 1940's that he did not secure copyrights on that became successful business ventures. He did need a business agent that he never got.
He was a positive inspiration to those who knew him and was a resource for those who had a housing or feeding problem. During his working life there were always other people who had to be taken care of. One or more could always be found living at his home.
He was an avid golfer and participated in the sport when possible. He had, at one time, a private golf course that he had set up on vacant property owned by the University of Illinois. The holes were cans set in the ground at various locations. There were no greens but the University always kept the fields mowed.
The golf course was well remembered by a grandson who played parts of it using a putter that was made for him by his grandfather.

Notes for Jemima Ann Giles:
Nannie was always there. Whatever the problem, Nannie was there, the problem might not be resolved, but Nannie had an approach that could not be denied. It is significant to note that she ran a household with children, assorted relatives and tenants that would be a dillema to people today.
She always made it a point to be attired in such a way that when her husband returned home from work she appeared to have done nothing at all.

Children of Thomas McNeill and Jemima Giles are:

		i.		Lois Adele McNeill, born May 27, 1899 in Alma, Marion Co., IL; died November 20, 1972 in Peoria, IL; married Russell Floyd Everett November 11, 1926 in Champaign, IL; born October 12, 1904.
		ii.		Libby Marguerite McNeill, born April 23, 1901 in Tuscola, Douglas Co., IL; died December 23, 1996 in Tucson, Pima Co., AZ.

Notes for Libby Marguerite McNeill:
Libby McNeill attended public schools in Champaign, IL and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. From there she went on to employment in areas that reflect her many talents. She taught school in Menominee, Michigan and was secretary in the Presidents office at the Century of progress in Chicago from the time the first spadeful of dirt was turned until the last structure was demolished.
She first moved to Arizona in 1936 as Secretary - Hostess at Beaver Creek Ranch, located between Cottonwood and Sedona, where she fell in love with the State. During World War II she moved to California with a Chicago firm of architechural engineers under contract with the Navy to build the ammunition and net depot at Seal Beach. After three years in the Chicago area she returned to Arizona and settled in Tucson where she opened her handcrafted leather shop at Desert House. She went on to become the occupational therapist at Oshrin Indian Hospital where she worked for sixteen years before retirement. She may be best remembered for her ready wit, humor and original sayings. She gave freely of her time as a volunteer in hospitals and organizations. She was a member of the Southern Arizona Scottish Society and the Clan MacNeill Association of America.
Shortly before her ninety fourth birthday her nephew, Tom McNeill, took Libby and her sister Clara to lunch at a popular roadhouse restaurant in Tucson. When the waitress passed out menus and asked if they would like to order now, Libby responded with "Not before I have a martini. We have serious decisions to make here".
Prior to her death she had lost most of her vision but she was still interested in what was happening in the news as reported by radio and television.

		iii.		Clara May McNeill, born March 20, 1905 in Effingham, Effingham Co., IL ⁸; married John William Parker November 23, 1940 in New York, NY; born Unknown; died Unknown.
	1	iv.		Thomas Benjamin McNeill, born February 27, 1907 in Effingham, Effingham Co., IL; died April 19, 1974 in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo Co., CA; married (1) Kathryn Louella Scholl Bef. 1930; married (2) Ruth Marie Morris Bef. 1951; married (3) Donna Marie Baroni April 15, 1966 in Upper Marlboro, MD.

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]