Lewis Neill was born in Jefferson, Fairfax County, Virginia, on March 16, 1821. According to one of his obituaries, he married young, and he and his wife had two children die in infancy, and then she died several years into the marriage.
He eventually wandered to Illinois where he took up farming, and he was enumerated there in the 1860 census:
Irving Halsey, 23, farmer, real estate worth $7,000 and Jane E. Halsey, 23, and Louis Neill, 34, born Virginia.
In 1861, Illinois began rounding up troops for the War of the Rebellion, and Lewis responded. He enlisted, at the age of 40, into the 32nd Illinois Infantry, Company K, as a First Sergeant. The enlistment information for that state included a physical description of Lewis, noting that he was 6' 4 3/4, with brown hair and blue eyes, a fair complexion, and he was a single farmer. He mustered in at Camp Butler, Illinois, on December 31, 1861.
The Battle of Shiloh began the morning of April 6, 1862, when the Confederates held a surprise attack out of the woods near Shiloh church against U.S. Grant's Union forces. It was one of the largest, bloodiest battles of the war, neither party willing to retreat or surrender. Twenty thousand men were killed or wounded, and Lewis Neill was one of them.
"The scenes on this field would have cured anybody of war. Mangled bodies, dead, dying,in every conceivable shape, without heads, legs, and horses. I think we have buried 2,000 since the fight, our own and the enemy and the wounded fill horses, tents, steamboats, and every conceivable place..."
Wounded on April 6, 1862, it was finally decided that Lewis could not go back to the war, and he was discharged on August 1, 1862.
He came to Defiance about 1864, and married Miss Ellen M. Greer on February 25, 1865. They had one son, Lewis Greer Neill, born on March 18, 1866, and sadly, the child's mother died the next month in April 1866. Her brief obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on April 28, 1866, on page 2:
"Died - On Tuesday night last, Mrs. Ellen E., wife of Lewis Neill, Esq. and daughter of the late Judge Greer, aged 22 years."
Left with a one month old infant to raise, Lewis turned to Ellen's mother, Louisa, then a widow. The 1870 census named Louisa Greer, 60, keeping house, and living with her were Lewis Neill, 49, Recorder, born Virginia, and little Lewis G., 4, as well as Mary Porter, 58, boarding, and Eunice Robinson, 40. A later census will tell us that Mary and Eunice were sisters to Louisa. So the child was well cared for by a grandmother and two aunts.
Lewis Neill was a Recorder in Defiance, as well as a Justice of the Peace in Defiance Township. He completed the enumeration of schools in the county for many years. In 1876, he posted this note in the Defiance Democrat on January 27:
"TO THE PUBLIC- My second term of office (as County Recorder) having expied, I find myself without employment, except the little surplus office work granted me by the new Recorder; and as I can only get a living by pen, I have decided to see what I can do in the writing of Deeds, Mortgages, Leases, Mechanic's Liens, Contracts, Wills, &c. For all patronage extended to me, I shall be thankful; ;and strive to give satisfaction. I shall be happy to see my friends at all time in the County Recorder's office where I will serve them. LEWIS NEILL"
Hence, in the 1880 census, Lewis (Louis) gave his occupation as a copyist, someone employed to make copies of legal documents. He still lived with his mother-in-law, Louisa Greer, 75, at 459 Wayne Street and the two aunts, Mary Porter, now 73, and N. Robinson, 71. Lewis G., 14, was also with them.
Hence, in the 1880 census, Lewis (Louis) gave his occupation as a copyist, someone employed to make copies of legal documents. He still lived with his mother-in-law, Louisa Greer, 75, at 459 Wayne Street and the two aunts, Mary Porter, now 73, and N. Robinson, 71. Lewis G., 14, was also with them.
Mrs. Louisa Greer died in September, 1894, and through her obituary, we find more history of the family. In the Defiance Daily Crescent, September 10, 1894, page 3:
"MRS. LOUISA GREER.
Born October 17, 1804. Died September 9, 1894, aged 89 years, 10 months, and 22 days.
Louisa Robinson was born near Brattleboro, Vt., in 1804 where she spent her early youth. In 1836, she came to Defiance with her uncle, Curtis Holgate, father of the late Wm. C. Holgate with whose family she resided until 1843 when she was married to James Greer, Associate Judge, the wedding occuring on the 29th day of May, 1843.
To Mr. and Mrs. Greer was born but one daughter, Ellen M. Greer, who was one of the most beautiful of women, and who became the wife of our townsman, Lewis Neil in 1865. Lewis G. Neil was born to them in 1866 and in the same year Mrs. Neil died, since that time Mrs. Greer has made a home for Mr. Neil and his son, Lewis.
Gentle and retiring in manner, she has spent her life within her home, ministering to the happiness and comfort of others. As a neighbor and friend, she was ever kind and considerate, helpful in sickness and ready to do all she could for those who needed assistance. She has been active and energetic until within the last few weeks when she was compelled to give up the active performance of the duties of her household and be ministered unto instead of ministering.
She died very peacefully at her home on Wayne Street yesterday afternoon at half past one o'clock. The funeral service will occur from her late home tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, Rev. B. W. Slagle officiating."
(Her mother was Eunice Holgate. When William C. Holgate died, he left Louisa $500, as noted in his will.)
In April, 1895, Lewis Neill wrote his will, naming his son, Lewis G., as lone executor and inheritor of all property. He asked that appraisals and all other usual methods of probate be waived, trusting his son to pay any debts.
Lewis lived on until January 27, 1899, when he died at age 78, leaving his son, Lewis G., who never married.
From the Defiance Daily Crescent, January 27, 1899, page 6:
"A TRUE GENTLEMAN
THE DEATH OF LEWIS NEILL CLOSES A WELL SPENT LIFE
Lewis Neill Sr. passed to his reward last night at his home on Wayne street, his death occurring about 12 o'clock. In the demise of Mr. Neill there passes from our midst one of the best known citizens and a long and well spent life of 78 years is closed.
Mr. Neill was a typical southern gentleman, tall, of commanding appearance and able address. He was highly cultured and a deep reader of current events and took much pleasure in social chat concerning the occurrences of the day. Those who have known him longest are his truest friends as it was by constant acquaintances with him that his noble traits were brought out.
The subject of this obituary was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, near Harpers
Ferry, March 16, 1821. While quite young, he was married to Miss Taylor of near his home, and of this union was born two children, both of whom died in infancy and his wife's demise occurred a few years after the marriage.
Mr. Neill's first business venture was to open a dry goods store in Virginia, which he conducted but a few years, when on account of having given credit too freely, he failed in 1854 and shortly afterwards went to Springfield, O. where he engaged in office work for lawyers until 1858 when he went to southern Illinois and followed the occupation of a country school teacher until 1861, when he enlisted n the Union army in an Illinois regiment and served faithfully until he was wounded at the first attack on Shiloh, by being shot in the left arm. This necessitated his being mustered out of service and he received an honorable discharge.
While at Springfield, he became acquainted with Hon. W. D. Hill who was practicing law at that place, and it was perhaps on Mr. Hill's suggestion that Mr. Neill came to Defiance. After leaving the army, he returned to Springfield and in conversations with Mr. Hill, who stated he was going to Defiance, Mr. Neill said he believed he would go there also.
Mr. Neill started on foot and walked to Troy, O., from there he worked his way on a canal boat to Defiance. For a few years after his arrival here, Mr. Neill done various odd jobs at clerical work until 1867, when he was elected justice of the peace, and served two terms, at the conclusion of which he was elected county recorder and filled the office for two years. While serving as justice of the peace, he married to Miss Nellie Greer, daughter of Judge Greer, of this city. The union brought one son, Lewis G. Neill, who survived his father, his mother having died while he was a small child.
Mr. Neill, for a number of years, was school enumerator and in this capacity, made a wide circle of acquaintances throughout the city.
Mr. Neill was a member of Bishop Post. No.22 G. A. R. which organization will attend the funeral in a body.
The funeral services will be conducted at the late home of the deceased Sunday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. B. W. Slagle will officiate. The remains will be interred in Riverside Cemetery."
A second obituary, published in the Defiance Democrat in February, 1899, added this information:
"He was a lineal descendant on the mother's side of Gavin Hamilton, of Scotland, the patron of Burns, the Scottish poet, and on the father's side of Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyron, the unyielding Irish patriot, who battled so long against the armies of the British crown and his father's name was Lewis Neill.
His father was a large land owner and slave holder, and lived in an old fashioned brick country home. The family was widely and favorably known...
His father was a large land owner and slave holder, and lived in an old fashioned brick country home. The family was widely and favorably known...
Mr. Neill was a thorough gentleman in every respect, who never indulged in profanity and declined to listen to a vulgar story should one be suggested in his presence..."
James and Louisa Greer, Lewis E. Neill and Lewis G. Neill were all buried in Lot 20, Section A of Old Riverside Cemetery. Ellen Greer Neill is not listed among those in that lot, and her grave could not be found. But only Lewis G. has a marker still standing.
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(This is
part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part
of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city. Formed in
1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop,
Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of
wounds received in battle. The veterans' photos are part of a composite
photo of members that has survived. If you have other information or
corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the
comments!)
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