Defiance County Pioneers - Lewis Neill

According to the records of Defiance County, Lewis Neill married Ellen M. Greer on February 25, 1865.  By about 1866, they had a son, named Lewis G., and by 1870, Ellen had died.  Lewis Neill moved in with his mother-in-law, Louisa Greer, and her two sisters, Mary Porter and Eunice Robinson, and that's where they remained at least through 1870 and 1880.
It's not common that a person's ancestors are mentioned in an obituary, but - if correct - what a good clue for future researchers!

"DEATH OF LEWIS NEILL

Well Known Gentleman Long a Resident of Defiance

Was County Recorder Two Years - Also Justice of the Peace - 

Soldier in the Rebellion - Life Sketch

Lewis Neill, a gentleman well known in this city and county, having resided here for thirty-five years, died Thursday night between 11 and 12 o'clock, his demise coming quite suddenly, though he has been ill for some time past of lung trouble.

Lewis Neill was born March 15, 1821, in Jefferson County, West Virginia, at a place now known as Duffield's Depot on the B & O Railroad.

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 landowner and slave holder, and lived in an old fashioned brick country home.  The family was widely and favorably known.

The subject of this sketch married a young woman named Taylor in West Virginia, by whom two children were born, but the mother and both children died young.  He was engaged in a dry goods business there for a time on a large scale, but failed on account of his own credit system.

In 1855, he moved to Springfield, O., where he remained until 1858, and then went to southern Illinois where he taught country school until the war broke out,when he enlisted in the army in 1861.  He was wounded in his left arm in the battle of Shiloh and as he was thereby permanently disabled, he was discharged from the service when his wound was healed. 

He returned to Springfield, where he remained until May 1863.  About that time, Hon. W. D. Hill, of this city, then of Springfield, told Mr. Neill of his intention to move to Defiance, which resulted in Neill deciding to come here, too.  Mr. Neill walked to Troy, O., and worked his passage from there to Defiance on a canal boat.

Arrived in Defiance, he worked for some time in the various county offices as copyist, etc., and was in a short time elected to the office of Justice of the Peace which he held two terms.  He was afterward elected County Recorder for two terms, filling both positions to honor to himself and his constituents.

Here he married Ellen M. Greer, only daughter of Judge Greer, to whom one child, Lewis G., now living, was born.  The wife, however, has been deceased several years.

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.  He leaves a wide circle of acquaintances to sincerely mourn his demise." 

Lewis was 77 when he died and he is buried in Riverside Cemetery.  

His son, Lewis G., died in 1910 at about the age of 44 and is also buried at Riverside.