Captain Henry Neal was a well-known resident of Miami County and held he high esteem by his fellow townsmen, for his sterling worth commended him to the confidence and regard of all who knew him. He was born in Monroe Township, on the 27^th of June, 1819, and was a son of Henry and Jane (Woods) Neal. His early youth was spent upon his father’s farm, and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He entered upon his business career as a wood chopper, and was employed in that way for some time. Thus he earned the first one hundred dollars ever in his possession. Later he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, while in the summer season he was employed at farm work and at other employments which would yield him an honest living. For about nineteen years he successfully engaged in teaching and also conducted a singer school. He held high rank among the able educators in his county, his labors being attended with excellent results. He died suddenly of heart disease Jan. 6, 1881. On the 14^th of Feb., 1864, Captain Neal was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Bowman, who was born in Frederick, Miami County. They became the parents of two children-Charles C. and Edith M. Charles C. is a farmer in Monroe Township, who married Rose K. Pearson. They have two children, Mildred B. and Regina J. Edith M. is the wife of John M. Davidson, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and they have one child, Margery Jean.

Captain Neal was a member of the state militia, and during the Civil War entered the Union service as first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry, for one hundred days. He was promoted and commissioned captain and with his command went to the front, where he loyally served until the expiration of his term. He was overheated during his service in the war, and this brought on heart disease, so that his health was never again what it had been before he joined the army. In March, 1865, Captain Neal removed to Troy, where he made his home until the following fall, when he located upon the farm in Monroe Township, which continued to be his place of abode for about a year. He then removed to the home in Frederick, where his widow now resides, and there he remained until his death. He devoted his attention to superintending and improving his farm properties. In all his business dealings, he was honorable and straightforward, and thus won the confidence and good will of those with whom he was brought in contact. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and in his death the community lost one of its reliable citizens-a man whom to know was to respect and honor.