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1900 Whiteside Bios > Francis O'Neil


Source: The Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company   1900

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages: 394-96

Francis O'Neil - Among the more prominent and enterprising farmers of Hahnaman township who are of alien birth is the gentleman whoses name heads this sketch. Like others of his countrymen he has brought to the new world the habits of economy and frugality which are inherent characteristics of his native land, and the exercise of which, accompanied by industry and good management, have raised him from a humble position to one of affluence. He now owns and operates a fine farm of four hundred and twenty acres in section 15, Hahnaman township, a mile and half from Deer Grove.

Mr. O'Neil, who is familiarly called Frank by his numerous friends, was born in County Mead, Ireland, in July, 1842, and in 1864 came to America, landing in Quebec, Canada. He went at once to New York city, where he arrived in May of that year, and after spending eight weeks there, he went to Connecticut, being employed for about a year on the construction of Fort Hale at East Haven. He next drove an oil wagon in Melbourn, New Jersey, for about two years, and in the fall of 1867 came to Whiteside county, Illinois, joining his brother, William O'Neil, who had located here about six months previously. After working at farm labor by the month for several years, in 1872 he purchased eighty acres of his present farm from William McCune. At that time it was a wild piece of swampy land,but he got up a petition for a ditch, which was at length constructed though it cost him fifteen hundred and twenty dollars. Mr. O'Neil drained, fenced and improved his first purchase, erecting at first only a small house upon the place, but as time has advanced, and he has prospered in his undertakings, he has added to his landed possessions until he now has four hundred and twenty acres of land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation an improved with good buildings, including a pleasant home. He makes a specialty of stock-raising and fattening hogs and cattle for the market.

While in New Jersy, Mr. O'Neil was married, September 5, 1867, to Miss Winifred Finner, and to them have been born five children: Margaret, wife of William Drew, of Sterling; William is a contractor on the canal; Henry is in the employ of his borther, T. L., of Prophetstown; Frank, who helps carry on the home farm; and T. L., a business man of Prophetstown.

Politically Mr. O'Neil is a supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have elected him to several local offices, the duties of which he has most capably discharged. He has been drainage commmissioner of the township; collector two years; township trustee; a member of the school board; and clerk of the district.

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