Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Portrait and biographical album of Mecosta County, Mich. containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Michigan and of the presidents of the United States: also containing a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time. Published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1883 Judith Anne Weeks Ancell April 6, 2011 ====================================================================== Page 201 O'NEIL, James ====================================================================== James O’Neil, farmer on sec. 35, Deerfield Tp., P. O. Morley, is the son of John and Mary (Martin) O’Neil, natives of Ireland, and now residents of Mecosta Co., Mich. Mr. O’Neil was born in Camden Tp., Canada, July 30, 1855. When he was 15 he came to Shiawassee Co. with his parents and lived until the fall of 1873, which time they removed to Mecosta Co. Mr. O’Neil bought 40 acres of wild land and began the life of a pioneer, building a primitive log house and proceeding to clear up the forest. In 1877 he bought another “40” and in 1882 added 40 acres more to his possessions. He has one of these tracts under cultivation and is erecting a fine frame house. He was married Oct 12, 1873, at Owosso, Shiawassee Co., to Marietta, daughter of Michael and Julia (Leveck) McKeen. They have five children, born as follows: James B., Sept. 14, 1879; Mary E., April 31, 1881; John S., Oct. 5, 1882; Julia, born Nov. 29, 1875, died May 7, 1881; Ambrose, born June 5, 1877, died May 8, 1881. These children died of diphtheria, after eight days’ illness. Mr. O’Neil acts with the Democratic party and is an adherent of the Catholic Church. ======================================================================