Happy Valentine's Day

 Happy Valentine's Day

From our McNeil Family 1889

This heart is the artwork of one our McNeil ancestors.  It was created in about 1889 when it was added to the family record of the William S McNeil family.  The family record was written on both sides of a 5x8 lined sheet, which over the years had aged to a brownish-yellow.  This heart shown above is enlarged from the original size drawn which was 1-1/16 x 1-3/4. 
To see the post with the complete McNeil family record, click here.  

Related posts:
William S McNeil Family 
Valentine Cards 
Family Love Stories 

Hatfield Photos - Before and After

Martin and Nancy (McNeil) Hatfield

 Below are Hatfield photos before and after being colorized and enhanced at MyHeritage.com.  I really like the improved photo.  Martin and Nancy are my 2nd great-grandparents.  Both had passed away before I was born, so I never had a chance to meet them during their lifetimes.  But, the colorized photo makes me feel like I knew them.

Before and after being colorized and enhanced.

Hatfield Family Before & After

Above photo comparison of the Hatfield Family 1917
Son, Will and wife, Myrtle, and their daughters: Elsie and Mildred;
Daughter Blanche and son Alfred

Back row: Myrtle, Will, Blanche, Alfred

Front row: Nancy, Elsie, Martin holding Mildred

The red cross on Elsie's dress could have something to do with WWI?

Hatfield Oklahoma Homestead before and after

Left to right: Clinton holding horses, Alfred holding puppy, Grace holding horses, Martin holding a rifle, Nancy, Anna holding a rifle.  This photo was not dated, but guessing from the ages of the children, the photo was taken about 1909.

Related Posts:

Martin and Nancy Hatfield Family 

Hatfield's Oklahoma Homestead 

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

1902 McNeil Reunion in Color

Grandma Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil

1902 Family Reunion

Last June I posted an article about the 1902 McNeil Reunion that took place in Smith County, Kansas.  I was excited when I found the original newspaper clipping (that matched the old one in our family bible) of the reunion in the Smith County Pioneer newspaper.  And, even more excited to find some  photos (posted by a McNeil cousin) that were taken the day of the reunion.  The original photos were black and white or sepia and seemed to have aged with time.

I love-love-love the new colorizing tool at MyHeritage and the 1902 McNeil reunion photos were some of the first old photos I wanted to colorize.   As you can see from comparing the the original and the colorized versions of the reunion photos, the colorized versions are much improved.

This first photo is of all the family members who attended the 1902 reunion.  According to the newspaper article of the McNeil Reunion, the photograph was taken on the front porch of the Nate McNeil home in the afternoon by Photographer Stone.  Grandma McNeil (Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil) is right in the center of the photo, resting her head back on the white pillow.

Original Photo of the McNeil Reunion 1902

Colorized Photo of McNeil 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 MyHeritage colorizing tool seems to help restore old faded photos.  The photo below was taken at the same time as the photo above.  It is a photograph of Grandma Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil with her six children. Her sons are standing in the back top 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 children
Original photo

Grandma McNeil and children
Colorized version

As you can see from the the comparison, the colorized version is clearer and more detailed than the original.  There is still some fading at the top of the photo but overall the quality of colorized photo is much improved.  Grandma McNeil is especially detailed as you can see from the below thumbnail of Grandma McNeil.

Sarah M Cole McNeil
1902

Related Posts:
1902 McNeil Reunion 

William and Sarah Cole McNeil Family
Introducing MyHeritage In Color  
MyHeritage in Color Goes Viral 

1902 McNeil Reunion

My great-grandmother, Minnie Pearl Wilson, had a newspaper clipping of a family reunion tucked in the old family bible where she also kept all of the clippings of family obituaries.  The "Family Reunion" clipping was from an unknown newspaper, had no date or place, and had already turned yellow with age when I received it almost 50 years ago.  Someone had taken a guess and written a date (which was off by a year) and place (state only) on the top of the clipping.  The clipping was about a McNeil Family Reunion -- children and grandchildren of Mrs. Sarah McNeil.  The article  mentioned that "Photographer Stone" had taken a group picture of all the family at the reunion.  Over the years I have often wished I could find a copy of the picture taken that day at the McNeil Family Reunion!!

Newspaper Clipping found in family bible.

McNeil Family Reunion

Last year, Newspapers.com added a lot of small town newspapers from Kansas.   I spent some late nights going through the newspapers from Smith County, Kansas, which ended up being a goldmine of information on the McNeil, Cole, and Hatfield families.  The above article about the McNeil Family Reunion was found in a Smith Center newspaper.  It was published in the Smith County Pioneer (Smith Center, Kansas) newspaper on Thursday, 30 October 1902.  The reunion would have taken place on the previous Sunday which was 26 October 1902 and was attended by twenty-seven children and grandchildren of Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil. (Transcription at bottom of page)

Smith County Pioneer newspaper

Smith Center, Kansas

Thursday, 30 Oct 1902

Earlier this year, a cousin on the McNeil side of the family reached out to me to say she was going to post her McNeil family photos on Ancestry.com.  I was more than excited 😍😍 when she posted a copy of the actual photograph taken the day of the McNeil Family Reunion mentioned in the above newspaper article.  As stated in the news article, the photograph was taken on the front porch of the Nate McNeil home in the afternoon by "Photographer Stone" just after their "big dinner".  Grandma McNeil is right in the center of the photo, resting her head back on a white pillow.  

This photo taken at the reunion is remarkable for several reasons:  1) Only known picture(s) of Sarah Margaret Cole McNeil was taken at this reunion; 2) All of Sarah's living children were at the reunion and in the photo; 3) Only known picture of Charles E Hatfield (brother of Martin M Hatfield).  

McNeil Family Reunion 

30 Oct 1902, Smith Center, Kansas

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.

To see a colorized version of the above reunion photo, click here 

Transcription of above newspaper article of the McNeil Family Reunion:

Family Reunion

"A family reunion was held last Sunday at the home of Nate McNeal, of this city, at which time 27 children and grandchildren of Mrs. Sarah McNeal were present. The children were T.C. McNeal, Nate McNeal and Mrs. Roxie Reed, of Smith Center, Susan Ball, of Athol, Mrs. Nancy Hatfield, of Woods County, Oklahoma, and Harmon McNeal of Dor township. All the above were accompanied by their husbands or wives except T.C. McNeal, who is still a single man. About a dozen grandchildren were present, also was Charlie Hatfield, of Oxford, Neb., a brother of N.M. Hatfield, accompanied by his wife. In the afternoon after a big dinner they all assembled on the front porch where their picture was taken by Photographer Stone.
Grandma McNeal was 77 years old on her last birthday, and all her children are living except one, a daughter who died when about eight years old. Her husband died in 1894. This is the first time all the family have been together for about eight years, and it was like told times for them all to meet again. Mrs. N.M. Hatfield and husband left Monday for their Oklahoma home, and Charlie Hatfield and wife left for Oxford, Neb., on the same train and the others went away Sunday." 

Many thanks 😘😘 to our cousin who took the time to post, preserve, and share the McNeil family photos.  So many family photos and documents are lost every time there is a fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, etc.  By scanning and posting the photos/documents on sites such as Ancestry, My Heritage, FamilySearch, Blogs, etc., we can preserve history for future generations.

Note: Many more photos of the McNeil family of Smith County, Kansas are posted on Ancestry.com.

Click here for Sarah M Cole McNeil's Ancestry profile page. 

Related posts:  

McNeil Family Record 

Nancy McNeil Hatfield Family

Susanah McNeil Ball Family  

Murder in the Family

Murder mysteries seem to be very popular on TV and in books, but finding a murder within the family can be a little scary!  Happy Halloween👻💀🎃

Murder of Fred Kibbe

Fred Kibbe (our relative) and Albert Hilpot were found murdered on September 17, 1910 at an abandoned stage station on the Fort Apache road.  Kibbe, 22 years old, was a businessman from Globe, Arizona, where he owned a grocery store.  He had married in 1908 to Martha Whalley and they had a year old baby daughter.
On Monday September 12, Kibbie and Hilpot left Globe on a deer hunting trip into the White Mountains in Arizona.  They found shelter at Montano, a stage station which had recently been abandoned on the Fort Apache road.  On September 17, their bodies were found by a teamster hauling passengers from Fort Apache to Rice.  Kibbe and Hilpot had been shot in the head and robbed of all their possessions, including their horses.

Arizona Republic, Saturday, 17 Sep 1910, page 1.

Two ex-cavalry men, James Steele (whose real name was John Goodwin) and William Stewart, from Fort Apache were suspected. The fugitives were pursued by Globe Sheriff Thompson, several deputies, hounds, and Indian trackers.  After a six-day chase and many miles from the scene of the killing, Steele and Steward were apprehended.

Most Cold-Blooded Murder in Eastern Arizona

Weekly Journal-Miner (Prescott, Arizona) - 28 Sep 1910 - Page 5

Steele and Steward confessed to the killing but said it was self-defense.  Later they blamed each other for the killing.  After years of court cases, both men were finally hanged for the murder of Kibbe and Hilpot.
Fred Kibbe was the son of William A Kibbe and Laura Jackman.  Laura Jackman was the daughter of W H Jackman and Sarah McNeil (sister of our ancestor, William S McNeil).

Updated information on the Fred Kibbe murder can be found in a news article about the murder published in 1945, click here.

Another family member was murdered in the Arizona mountains - Thomas Box was murdered in the Dos Cabezas Mountains in 1883.  To read, click here.

Murder of Fred H Baldwin

World War II Veteran

Fred Harmon Baldwin, born 26 September 1898 in Throckmorton, Texas, was the son of C. R. Baldwin and Della Choate.  When he was 27 years old, Fred married Geneva Estella Tyer.  She died the same year after giving birth to their daughter, Geneva Estella Baldwin.   Fred and his new baby daughter moved in with his parents.  Fred joined the Army Air Forces during WWII and after he was discharged in 1944, he got a job as a security guard at the South Plains Army Air Field in Lubbock County.  On December 15, 1946, Fred stopped at a steak house to get some dinner after leaving work.  He had a half-month's salary in his wallet, along with $50 his mother had given him.  After leaving the restaurant, Fred was attacked and robbed.  His death was caused by blunt force upon the head, and his empty wallet was found next to his body.

Lubbock Evening Journal, Monday, December 16, 1946

Fred H Baldwin was the son of C R Baldwin and the grandson of Francis Marion Baldwin.

Murder of Riley C Medlin

One night five days before Christmas 1932, two men entered a small grocery in Nashville owned by Riley C Medlin.  Medlin was in the back room off the grocery, eating with his family.  One of the men called him to come forward into the grocery.  Medlin picked up his shot gun and walked forward.  Upon seeing the shotgun, one of the men raised a pistol and shot Riley Medlin in the center of his forehead while his wife looked on.  The men who entered the grocery ran away. It is not known if they were ever apprehended and charged with the murder.
Riley C Medlin (1873-1932) was the son of Isaac Pinkney Medlin and Mary Evaline Leaver, and the grandson of Samuel Medlin and Rebecca Morgan.  He married Mamie Lillian Randalls and they were the parents of seven children.  The youngest two daughters, Pearl and Ruth, were at the back of the grocery when their father was murdered.

The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) Wednesday, December 21, 1932

Murder Strikes Again in the Medlin Family

45 years Later

Riley Medlin's son, Elliot Columbus Medlin,  owner of the Happy Grill in Nashville was killed by a shotgun blast to the back of his head during a robbery at the restaurant.  A Tennessee State Prison escapee and two other men were charged with the murder.

Murder of Willie Cowley

Sometimes murder is committed by a family member which makes it even more horrific.  And, sometimes murder can be self defense.  Willie Cowley died after being hit over the head with an axe by his brother-in-law, John Heflin.  John Heflin was arrested and charged with murder.  But Heflin's father-in-law (and the father of the victim) posted bond.  Apparently, Cowley and Heflin became engaged in an argument over the division of crop money.  Cowley made several lunges at Heflin with his fists and then pulled out his knife to attack, whereupon Heflin snatched an axe from the ground and struck out in self-defense.  Members of the family said that Cowley had been hauling his and Heflin's crops to Nasville, selling them and spending most of the money on drinking.  When Heflin insisted on a fair division of the money an argument followed which resulted in Cowley's death.

Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) Thursday, October 22, 1931 - Page 1 

Susanah McNeil & Levi Taylor Ball Family

Susanah McNeil Ball was the sister of our direct ancestor, Nancy Abbagail McNeil Hatfield.  Susanah was married to Levi Taylor Ball.

Levi T. and Susan A. McNeil Ball

Levi T Ball and Susan McNeil Ball

Levi Taylor Ball was born on 17 Jan 1847 in Trimble County, Kentucky. He was the son of Henry & Nancy Ball.  He died on 20 Aug 1919 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 21 Aug 1919 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

Levi served in the Civil War, Company C, Regiment 125, 10 Indiana Calvary in 1863/1865 in American Civil War. Records of the GAR Post at Hopkins, Missouri dated February 10, 1900, read: Levi Ball is by occupation a farmer, entered the service on December 9, 1863 as a Private in Company C, Regiment 125 of the 10 Indiana Calvary and was finally discharged on August 31, 1865 by reason of the close of the war.  After the war, he was a member of the GAR - Grand Army of the Republic - a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army.

Levi T Ball GAR Certificate

Levi married Susannah A. McNeil, daughter of William S. McNeil and Sarah Margaret Cole, on 29 Aug 1876 in Ottawa, Missouri. Susanah was born on 19 Nov 1849 in Parke, Indiana. She died on 23 Jan 1930 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried on 26 Jan 1930 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

Susannah Ball Signature

Susannah Ball Widow's Pension Application

Levi and Susannah had the following children:
1) William H. Ball was born on 10 Jul 1877 in Missouri, United States. He died in 1878.
2) Noah E. Ball was born on 24 Nov 1879 in Smith County, Kansas. Noah married Addie Higsby on 23 Jun 1902. They were living as husband & wife in the 1905 Kansas State Census, but were divorced by the 1910 US census.  Noah died in Jan 1915.
 3) Clara N. Ball was born on 26 Oct 1882 in Smith County, Kansas. She died in May 1888 in Smith County, Kansas.

Levi and Susan Ball Family
seated: Susan McNeil Ball, Levi Taylor Ball
standing: son, Noah and wife, Addie

Obituary for Levi T. Ball

William S. McNeil Family Record

The following is a copy of the original William S. McNeil Family record. The family record was written on both sides of a 5x8 lined sheet, which over the years had aged to a brownish-yellow.  The record was found in papers belonging to William's granddaughter, Minnie Pearl Hatfield Wilson, and had been stuck inside the Family Bible. It appears to have been written in about 1889.

McNeil Family (front)

McNeil Family (back)

Transcription of the above family record:

(front)
William S. McNeil was born Jurly the 21 , 1818
Sarah M. McNeil was born Febery the 21, 1826
Eliza Jane McNeil was born August the 12, 1848
Susanah A. McNeil was born November the 19, 1849
Thomas C. McNeil was born Janery 21, 1852
Rockcy E. McNeil was born Febery the 18, 1857
Nancy H. McNeil was born May the 23, 1860
Nathan H. McNeil was born August the 25, 1864
(back)
James H. McNeil was born December 18, 1867
*Also on back are dates of years from the birth of last child in 1867 consecutively to 1889.  A small  detailed heart is drawn in red and green.  The size of the heart is 1-1/16 x 1-3/4.

William S McNeil and Sarah M Cole Family

William S. McNeil was born on 21 Jul 1818 in Ohio. He died on 5 Feb 1894 in Cedarville, Smith, Kansas. He was buried in Feb 1894 in Cedar Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. William married Sarah Margaret Cole, daughter of Nathan Cole Jr. and Anna Margaret Goble, on 17 Oct 1847 in Parke, Indiana. Sarah was born on 21 Feb 1826 in Sullivan, Indiana. She died in 1905 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried in 1905 in Cedarville Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

They had the following children:

1) Eliza Jane McNeil was born on 12 Aug 1848 in Parke, Indiana. She died about 1856.

2) Susanah A. McNeil was born on 19 Nov 1849 in Parke, Indiana. She died on 23 Jan 1930 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried on 26 Jan 1930 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. Susanah married Levi Taylor Ball son of Henry Ball and Nancy Wise on 29 Aug 1876 in Ottawa, Missouri. Levi was born on 17 Jan 1847 in , Trimble, Kentucky. He died on 20 Aug 1919 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 21 Aug 1919 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

3) Thomas C. McNeil was born on 21 Jan 1852 in Terre Haute, Parke, Indiana. Thomas never married. He died on 18 Nov 1923 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 20 Nov 1923 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

4) Roxie Ellen McNeil was born on 18 Feb 1857 in Hopkins, Nodaway, Missouri. She died on 22 Feb 1936 in Smith Center, Smith, Kansas. She was buried on 24 Feb 1936 in Fairview Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. Roxie married Albert R. Reed on 5 Dec 1878 in Cedar, Smith, Kansas. Albert was born on 28 Apr 1856 in Malvern, , Ohio. He died on 18 Dec 1928 in , Smith, Kansas.

5) Nancy Abbagail McNeil was born on 23 May 1860 in Hopkins, Nodaway, Missouri. She died on 18 Jan 1946 in Egbert, Laramie, Wyoming. She was buried on 20 Jan 1946 in Pine Bluffs Cemetery, Laramie, Wyoming. Nancy married Martin Monroe Hatfield son of John Martin Hatfield Jr. and Martha Jay on 1 Jan 1879 in Harvey Twp., Smith, Kansas. Martin was born on 18 Apr 1857 in Boone, Iowa, United States. He died on 31 May 1918 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado. He was buried on 4 Jun 1918 in Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado.

6) Nathan H. McNeil was born on 25 Aug 1864 in Bedford, Taylor, Iowa. He died on 21 Apr 1939 in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. He was buried on 24 Apr 1939 in Douglas, Kansas. Nathan married Susan Emma Hoyt daughter of Joseph King Hoyt and Mary Jane Lukehart on 24 Nov 1889 in Holdrege, Phelps, Nebraska. Susan was born on 27 Feb 1871 in Illinois.

7) James Harmon McNeil was born on 18 Dec 1867 in Hopkins, Nodaway, Missouri. He died on 16 Jan 1936 in Cedar, Smith, Kansas. He was buried on 19 Jan 1936 in Cedar Cemetery, Smith, Kansas. James married Minnie B. Newbrey daughter of George Franklin Newbrey and Margaret E. Dear on 14 Oct 1896 in Smith, Kansas. Minnie was born on 9 Feb 1876 in Iowa, United States. She died on 30 May 1941 in Smith, Kansas. She was buried in Cedarville Cemetery, Smith, Kansas.

Also see:
1902 McNeil Reunion

1902 Photos of the McNeil Family

William S McNeil Family Birth Record
Ball McNeil Hatfield Wilson Family Bible
Nancy A McNeil Hatfield Family
Susanah McNeil Ball Family

Levi Taylor Ball - GAR Certificate

Levi Taylor Ball was married to Susanah McNeil, sister to our ancestor, Nancy Abigail McNeil Hatfield.
Levi served in the Civil War, Company C, Regiment 125, 10 Indiana Calvary in 1863/1865 in American Civil War. Records of the GAR Post at Hopkins, Missouri dated February 10, 1900, read: Levi Ball is by occupation a farmer, entered the service on December 9, 1863 as a Private in Company C, Regiment 125 of the 10 Indiana Calvary and was finally discharged on August 31, 1865 by reason of the close of the war.  After the war, Levi joined the GAR - Grand Army of the Republic.  The GAR was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army.

Transfer Card of the Grand Army of the Republic for L. T. W. Ball (Levi Taylor Ball)

 

"Ball McNeil Hatfield Wilson" Family Bible

These copies from the original Family Bible were made in 1970 when I was given permission to briefly see the bible.  Sorry, but back then I did not know I should make a copy of the title page of the Bible.  Also, color copies were not available at that time.  According to a deposition by Levi T. Ball in his Civil War pension file, the bible was published in 1851 (see bottom of this post). 

Bible history:  The original Henry Ball Family Bible bible was given to his son Benjamin then to Benjamin's daughter, Laura.  Laura gave the bible to her uncle Levi Taylor Ball when he needed proof of his birth for his pension application (see below).  The bible most likely came into the possession of the McNeil family through the Susannah McNeil Ball, wife of Levi Taylor Ball.  The bible then eventually came into the possession of Susannah's sister, the Nancy McNeil Hatfield family.  As the bible was passed down through the McNeil and Hatfield families,  information was added to the bible in the form of family records written on the back of the bible photos and loose sheets of paper, and obituaries, newspaper clippings, etc were tucked into the bible.
Nancy McNeil Hatfield's daughter, Lillie Hatfield Smith had the bible in the late 1950's and left the bible with her sister, Pearl Hatfield Wilson, of Cortez, Colorado.  Pearl added Wilson family information and records to the bible.  As the bible passed down through the different families, it became the:

Ball-McNeil-Hatfield-Wilson Family Bible

After Pearl Wilson died in 1966, the bible was given to her son, Clayton Pat Wilson.  His widow, Anna Wilson of Oregon, was still in possession of the bible in 2004.  It has not been cared for and has not been kept in good condition.  The extended  family has not been given access to it.  A few years ago (2004), a grandson of Anna Wilson was permitted to make copies.  He said the bible was falling apart with the cover and title page of the bible missing and many of the pages loose.   clm

Ball Family Bible Pages
Henry Ball was born 1798 in Kentucky and died 1880 in Parke County, Indiana.  He married Nancy Wise who was born 1804 in Kentucky and died 1856 in Indiana.  This first page shown is the Births of the Henry Ball Family.

Henry Ball Family Births

The following pages appear to have been torn out of another bible and stuck into the Ball Bible.  They appear to be miscellaneous information for the Henry Ball family.

Henry Ball family births

Henry Ball family deaths

The next pages shown are bible page entries for the Levi T and Susannah McNeil Ball family.  There are also a few entries for the McNeil family.  Loose McNeil family records from the bible can be found by clicking here and here.

Levi T Ball children deaths

Deposition by Levi Taylor Ball, found in his Civil War Pension File, dated Dec 17, 1912, giving reference to the Ball family bible. 

"My age is 65, having been born January 17, 1847...The bible from which the date of my birth as above given was taken, was my father's family bible, the first one he ever had in his house, and the only one. The record of the date of my birth is in my father's handwriting. He and mother told us that they made the records of our births at the time each child was born. At the time of my father's death the bible passed into the hands of my brother Benjamin Ball. After his death, two or three years ago, his daughter, Laura, husband's name not known, now living at Bedford, Iowa, gave me the bible.

I had six brothers and five sisters, all of whom are now dead.

Their names and the dates of their births as given by my fathers bible are as follows:

Elizabeth, born July 24, 1821
Manlinday, born April 13, 1823
Calamata, born March 3, 1825
Benjamin L, born January 16, 1828
James H, born February 1, 1830
William E., born October 3, 1831
Daniel W. born December 27, 1833
Mary, born April 10, 1836
David W., born August 6, 1838
Nancy, born March 1, 1841
James H., born February 18, 1843
Phebe, born July 26, 1844
Levi T. W., born January 17, 1847
Both of the children named James Henry died in infancy

When I enlisted I was 16 years of age but my age was put down as 18. I enlisted December 9, 1863, in Co. C 10. Ind. Vol. Cav. and was discharged August 31, 1865 as shown by a copy of my discharge certificate...I am a married man - my wife's maiden name was Susana A. McNeil. We were married August 27, 1876 near Hopkins, Mo., by Rev. Edward Otis. Neither of us had ever been previously married...Since you have called my attention to the fact that father's bible was not printed until 1851, I do not know what to say. My understanding always was that my father made those birth records at the time of birth of each child. The records are in my father's handwriting; I can swear to that..."
signed Levi T. W. Ball

Related Posts with information that came from the bible:
Levi Taylor Ball
William S McNeil Family
William and Sarah McNeil Family Record
Pearl and Charles Wilson Family Record


Note: These bible pages have been added and can be viewed on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.

North and South

Since today is Veterans Day, I though I would try to list our Civil War Veterans.  We have family members who fought for the Union Army and family members who fought for the Confederate Army. 

In addition to direct ancestors, I will also list siblings and spouses of siblings. 
I have added the family line that the Civil War veteran can be found, if looking at my family tree.  The family lines are for each of my great-grandparents lines: Martin, Weiss, Wilson, Hatfield, Baldwin, Stewart, Leffel, Box..  My trees at Ancestry.com may have the pension records added for the veteran.

If there is a blog post about the Civil War Veteran, clicking on their name provides the link.

(Name of veteran, (family line), State served from, pension Yes/No, Federal pension if Union or state pension if Confederate.)

Union Army

Leonard D. Hatfield, (Hatfield) Iowa, Y, Federal pension

Daniel S. Coddington, (Hatfield), Missouri, Y, Federal pension  (5 sons also fought in Civil War)
William Albert Coddington, (Hatfield), Missouri, Y, Federal pension
George Howard Coddington, (Hatfield), Missouri, Y, Federal pension
Lewis C Coddington, (Hatfield), Missouri, Y, Federal pension
David Humphreys Coddington, (Hatfield), Missouri, Y, Federal pension
James Dennis Coddington, (Hatfield), Missouri, Y, Federal pension

Andrew McNeil, (Hatfield), Indiana, Y-widows pension, Died during war

Levi Taylor Ball, (Hatfield), Indiana, Y, Federal Pension

Nathaniel McNeil, (Hatfield) Indiana, Y, Federal pension
Russell Westcott, (Hatfield), Wisconsin, Y, Federal Pension
Henry Westcott, (Hatfield), Wisconsin, Y, Federal Pension
Joel Leffel, (Leffel), Ohio, y-widows pension, Died during war his widow filed for pension.
Anthony Jones, (Leffel), Ohio
Ollie Gordon, (Leffel), Ohio, Y, Killed 14 May 1864 Battle at Resaca, GA
Henry Gordon, (Leffel), Ohio
Harrison Gordon, (Leffel), Ohio
Ezra Gordon, (Leffel), Ohio
Willis Miller, (Leffel), Ohio, Killed in battle at Beverly, WV
Harrison Miller, (Leffel), Ohio
Samuel Miller, (Leffel), Ohio
J. Peery Miller, (Leffel), Ohio
Milton J. Miller, (Leffel), Ohio, Chaplin
James Leffel, (Leffel), Ohio
Henry R. Stewart, (Stewart),Tennessee, Y, Federal pension
Jacob M. Stewart, (Stewart),Tennessee, Y, Federal pension
Gottlieb Weiss, (Weiss), Illinois

Let us not forget our grandpa, David Miller Leffel, who was hanged during the Civil War in the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862.  His crime -- having Union sympathies in Confederate Texas and not wanting to fight for the Confederates. So, although he did not die while in service, he died proclaiming his loyalty to the Union.

Confederate Army

Alan Baldwin, (Baldwin), Texas, N, ?died during war?

Benjamin F. Baldwin, (Baldwin), Texas, No pension found

Francis Marion Baldwin, (Baldwin),  Texas, No pension found

William Riley Medlin, (Baldwin), Tennessee, Y, Tennessee pension

Samuel L. Sadler, (Baldwin), Y, Texas pension
Elijah Lindley, (Baldwin), Texas
John Haning, (Leffel), Texas
Jesse F Thomas, (Leffel), Texas
Stephen Wesley Box, (Leffel), Texas

William B. Wilson, (Wilson), Texas, Y, Oklahoma pension

Fields Hoff, Texas, (Wilson), Texas, Y, Texas pension

Richard Hoff, (Wilson), Texas, Y, Texas pension
Cosley Hoff, (Wilson), Texas

Note: Texas passed a conscription law.  All men had to serve the Confederacy,  Those who refused were at risk of being shot or hanged. 

Research links:
Fold3.com
National Parks Service website, (Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System):

https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm