NATHANIEL NEELY. In the first rank of the intelligent and prominent farmer citizens of Washington county stands the subject of this sketch. His grandfather, Robert Neely, was born in Ireland, where he learned the trade of weaver. he married Susan Rutherford, a native of his own county, and together they immigrated to the United States, coming to Lancaster county, Penn., where he engaged at farming and worked at his trade. here for some years they remained, and then, in 1800, removed to this county, taking up their residence in Canton township, on the farm now occupied by the David McClay family, whence after a time they moved to Buffalo township, and finally settled on a farm, their first home being a log cabin, where they passed the rest of their busy and honorable lives. The children born to them were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Andrew Herron), Samuel, Mary (Mrs. John Jamison), and John, The father died in 1804, the mother ten years later. They were members of the North Buffalo Church (Seceders), of which Mr. Neely was one of the organizers, and in politics he was a Federalist.
Samuel Neely, father of subject, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1793, where his early boyhood was passed, and when seven years old he was brought by his parents to this county, where he received his school training. At the age of twenty-three he married Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel McDowell, and the young couple resided on the Neely homestead, in Buffalo township, until 1843, in which year our subject purchased the farm now occupied by James Noble, and moved thereon. here he died in 1862, the father of nine children: Susanna (Mrs. Robert Wright), Nathaniel (our subject), Robert, John, Samuel, James and David, all of whom are deceased, the latter dying of measles; Sarah J. (Mrs. David McConahey), and Leman. Politically Samuel Neely was a Whig, taking an active interest in the party's affairs. At an early age he united with the north Buffalo (Seceders) Church, of which he was an elder for years, and assisted materially in the erection of the present church building.
Nathaniel NEELY, whose name opens this sketch, was born in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn, July 16, 1822, and being the eldest boy in his father's family had a large share of farm work to perform. His education was received at the subscription schools of the locality, but being quick and apt he learned more in the practical school of life, and to-day he is recognized as one of the best-informed men in the township. On December 5, 1850, Mr. Neely was united in marriage with Mary C., daughter of James Irwin, of Canton township, this county, and their children are Susan (wife of James McCabe), James L., and Nannie (wife of Martin Rolston). The mother of these children dying September 7, 1862, in her thirty-sixth year, Mr. Neely, for his second wife, married, October 4, 1864, Rose W., daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Way) Graham, of Buffalo township, by which union there is one child, Vena M. Samuel Graham was an early pioneer of Buffalo township, coming there from Ireland about the year 1800. he died March 23, 1850, in his eightieth year; his wife passing from earth November 17, 1869, in her seventy-fifth year.
The family are members of the U. P. Church at Taylorstown. Mr. Neely having been one of the members that helped to organize the church; he was elected one of the elders, in which he served for some time and then resigned. he has given liberally of his means toward the support of churches. Politically he was originally a Whig, and since the formation of the party he has been a solid Republican. he has served as assessor of his township with marked ability and characteristic prudence. Mr. Neely is a typical self-made man, enterprising and prosperous, and a leading, upright citizen, descended from an old honored family. his highly improved and well-kept farm now comprises 200 acres of prime land.
Text taken from page 800 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed May 1997 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]