Grandma McNeil

 Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil

1826-1905

Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil
1902

Sarah Margaret Cole, the daughter of Nathan Cole and Anna Margaret Goble, was born 21 February 1826, in Sullivan County, Indiana.  Her birth, along with births of her husband and children, was recorded on a sheet of paper that was tucked in an old family bible.

While Sarah's obituary states she was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, I have never found any records indicating that the family actually lived in Sullivan.  All records for Sarah's parents are found in Parke County, Indiana.  Sarah was living in Parke County, Indiana when she met William S McNeil.  She was 21 years old when she and William married on 17 October 1847 in Parke County, Indiana by Justice of the Peace Scott Noel.  .  

William S McNeil and Sarah M Cole Marriage Record
Parke County, Indiana

The young couple continued to live in Parke County until  about 1854 when they moved to Taylor County, Iowa.  In the 1856 Iowa State Census, William and Sarah are enumerated in Ross Township, Taylor, Iowa.  William and Sarah have two children, S.A. (Susannah Amanda) and T.C. (Thomas C.).  An older daughter, Eliza Jane, had previously passed away.

1856 Iowa State Census, Ross Township, Taylor County 
Wm S McNeil Family

Sarah's youngest brother, Timothy Cole, is living in the household with them.  Next door to the McNeil family was Sarah's sister, Abigail Cole Stine, and her family. 

William and Sarah moved again a few years later.  By 1860, they were living in Nodaway County, Missouri.  The census shows that two more children were added to the family: Rocksa (Roxie Ellen)  and Nancy (Nancy Abigail). The family is still in Nodaway County, Missouri for 1870 Federal Census.  The post office given in the census is Maryville.  Two sons more sons had been born into the family: Nathan H. and James H.

In 1878, the family moved to Smith County, Kansas.  William homestead land in Harvey Township, Smith County, Kansas.  William and Sarah remained in Kansas the remainder of their lives.

William died on 5 February 1894 and was buried in the Cedar Cemetery.  Sarah has not been found in the 1900 census, but was most likely living with her son, Nate.  In 1902, the McNeils  had a family reunion.  The following newspaper notice for the reunion was published in the Smith County Pioneer newspaper.

1902 McNeil Reunion

As mentioned in the above newspaper article, the family had their picture taken by Photographer Stone.  Below is a colorized version of the family group photo.

McNeil Family Reunion 1902

(Back row: Martin M. Hatfield, Nancy McNeil Hatfield, Thomas C. McNeil, Mary "Stella" Reed Hoyt, George Hoyt, Addie Ball, Noah Ball, Alma Peterson Hatfield, Amos Reed, Charles E. Hatfield. Middle row: Minnie Newbrey McNeil, James "Harmon" McNeil, Verna McNeil, Susie Hoyt McNeil, Nathan H McNeil, Grandma McNeil (Sarah Cole McNeil), Levi Ball, Susan McNeil Ball, Albert Reed, Roxie Ellen McNeil Reed. Children: Clinton Hatfield, Lenard McNeil, Juanita Higby, Nellie McNeil Miller, Lester McNeil, Blanche Hatfield, Blanche McNeil Miller, Alfred Hatfield.)

The family photo taken at the reunion is remarkable for several reasons: (1) Only known picture of Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil was taken at this reunion and (2) All of Sarah's living children were at the reunion and in the photo.

Another picture was taken at the reunion.  This photo was of Grandma McNeil (Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil) and her children.  Back row (L-R) Harmon McNeil, Nathan McNeil, and Thomas McNeil.  Sarah and daughters are sitting in the front row (L-R): Nancy McNeil Hatfield, Grandma Sarah Cole McNeil, Susannah McNeil Ball, and Roxie Ellen McNeil Reed.  

Grandma McNeil and her children 1902

Below is a close-up of Grandma McNeil.  It is the only known photo of Sarah M Cole McNeil.

Sarah M Cole McNeil 
1902

Sarah was known as "Grandma McNeil" to the community.  In 1899, Grandma McNeil is on the sick list by the Smith County Pioneer Newspaper.  And in 1904, Grandma McNeil is reported to have been stricken with apoplexy (incapacity resulting from a stroke).

Smith County Pioneer Newspaper
9 Feb 1899

Smith County Pioneer Newspaper
8 Dec 1904

Sarah died two months later on 5 February 1905.  She was almost 79 years old.  Sarah was buried in the Cedar Cemetery next to her husband, William.

Grandma McNeil Obituary
Smith County Pioneer, 2 Feb 1905

McNeil Headstone
Cedar Cemetery