James E. Neal

James E. Neal was a Democratic legislator from Hamilton, Ohio who was Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1878 and 1879.

James E. Neal
Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office January 7, 1878 – January 3, 1880
Preceded by	Charles H. Grosvenor
Succeeded by	Thomas A. Cowgill
Personal details
Born	February 21, 1846 Hamilton, Ohio
Died	April 18, 1908 (aged 62) Hamilton, Ohio
Resting place	Greenwood Cemetery (Hamilton, Ohio)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	May McKinney
Children	one daughter

James E. Neal was born in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio on February 21, 1846. He was the son of James A. and Margaret (Giffen) Neal.[1] He graduated from the high school in Hamilton in 1862. He then studied law under the direction of Robert Christy, and was admitted to the bar. He established a lucrative practice.[2]

Neal was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives for the 62nd and 63rd General Assemblies, (1876 to 1879).[3] During the 63rd General Assembly, (1878 to 1879), the Democrats had the majority, and elected Neal as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.[4]

Neal was a member of the court-house building commission in his county that led to erection of a new courthouse. He was appointed during President Grover Cleveland's second term as United States consul to Liverpool, England.[2]

James Neal married May McKinney on June 5, 1882 in Hamilton. They had one daughter. He was a member of the B.P.O.E.[2] He died at Hamilton on April 18, 1908, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery (Hamilton, Ohio).[5]

Notes

1. Bartlow, p. 516.
2. Bartlow, p. 517.
3. Gilkey, p. 225.
4. Gilkey, p. 228.
5. Find a Grave.

References

• Bartlow, Bert Surene (1905). Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio. B. F. Bowen.
• Whitesides, Todd. "James Erskine Neal". Find a Grave.
• Gilkey, Elliot Howard, ed. (1901). The Ohio Hundred Year Book: a Hand-book of the Public Men and Public Institutions of Ohio ... State of Ohio.