Individual Details

Isaac Augustus McNeal was born in Beloit, Wisc., Dec. 2, 1857 and died at Gothenburg, Nebr., Feb. 2, 1927, at the age of 69 years and 2 months. Mr. McNeal came to Nebraska in 1878. In 1880 he settled on a homestead six and one-half miles northeast of Gothenburg, where he suffered all the hardships of the early pioneers. He resided on this place until about 1906, when he returned to Wisconsin. After remaining two years he again returned to the vicinity of Gothenburg. For a number of years the family resided eight miles north of Brady, removing last March six miles east of Gothenburg.

Mr. McNeal was married Nov. 25, 1884, to Dora May Campbell, who died Dec. 2, 1898. Seven children were born to this union, three of whom are living. July 4, 1899, he was married to Effie Florence Ristine, to which union nine children were born, seven of whom are living. The mother died Sept. 12, 1919. At an early age Mr. McNeal was converted and after coming to Nebraska united with the M. E. church. During the early pioneer days prayer meetings were often held in his sod house. In this same sod house a protracted meeting was held at which a Methodist Episcopal church was organized. This was the first Methodist church in this community. His Christianity showed itself in his many deeds of kindness. He was never too busy to help a neighbor in need of help.

During his last affliction, when he was confined to his bed for ten weeks. He was cheerful, when it was possible to be, and only two days before his death he was singing a familiar hymn. In his passing the children have lost a loving father and his neighbors a kind and sympathetic friend. He leaves to mourn his loss: ten children, Chas. McNeal of North Platte; Mrs. Frank Compston of Wymore, Nebr.; Mrs. Mesley DeLosh, of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Vernon Holderness of Maxwell; Clarence and Theodore of Gothenburg; John, Warren, Hazel and LeRoy, who are still at home; two sisters, one brother, nineteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Methodist church conducted by Rev. Jos. Stopford and burial was made in the Grandview cemetery. Grand View Cemetery Gothenburg Nebraska. Book, Compiled by Patricia A. Flatten, May 2003; Updated by Harold E. Clark, June 2012.