The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-07-06

nelghoors. HIS practice as physician
soon became extensive, reaching through
out the counties Of Scioto, Lawrence and
Gallia. He opened a fine farm, and
erected horse mill, and when not en-
gagged in practice, he repaired clocks and
watches, and was beyond doubt the most |
ingenious mechanic who ever resided in |
the county. For many years he carried !
a watch, every part OF which he made
himself His skill in this line was Of
much advantage to him as a surgeon, as
he always kept his surgical instruments
in the best condition, and manufactured
anything in this line that he needed.
1t was often remarked that he was
very cruel as a surgeon. He could cut
man all to pieces and whistle all the
time, as unconcerned as il he were max
ing o child's toy. The fact was that he
was a most kind and sympathetic man,
and was always touched with sorrow and
suffering. He never distressed the poor
and needy, and at the time Of his death
it was found that there were thousands
of dollars charged on his books, much Of
which had been there for years. His sp-
parent unconcern when performing sur
gicsl operations arose from his bravery
and coolness. and this was one cause OF
his wonderful success. lie had no wild
theories or hobbies, and his excellent
Judgment and wonderful calmness and
courage, rendered him safe man. When
called in a critical case he calmly made
up his mind, and then carried out his
plan, and he very rarely made a mistake.
l remember one case which came under
my own observation. William r. Lloyd,
a neighbor, got hurt at my uncle's horse
mill, near Portland, and DR.. McNeel was
some where in Gallia county. When he
was found and brought to the patient it
was a serious. 1t was a case ofirreducible
strangulated hernia. DIR. McNeel told
Mr.. Lloyd that the only possible way to
save his life was to perform an operation
to cut him open; but that he thought
in this way he could save his life. There
was no chloroform known in those days.
Mr.. Lloyd asked a few moments to pray,
and then McNeel performed the opera
ton, reduced the rupture, and Mr.. Lloyd
in time got well, and lived, healthy
man, for many years afterwards.
DR.. McNeel was the first surveyor OF
Jackson county, and his commission
bears date Nov. II, 1916. He made his
own surveyors compass, and other in
struments. He surveyed and plated
the town of Jackson. He was one of the
, first justices Of the peace in the county,
and his commission bears date Nov. l6,
/ 1916. / now have it in my possession,
and the following is a copy:
ain the name and by the authority OF
the State of Ohio. Thomas Worthington,
, Governor and Commander-in-C Chief of the
State of Ohio. To all who shall see these
presents, greeting: Know ye, that hav-
ing been duly certified of the election of
, Gabriel McNeel to the Office of Justice OF
a the Peace, for the township of Madison,
in the county of Jackson, and state
aforesaid, do. by virtue of the powers in
> vested in me by the constitution and
5 laws of the said state, commission him
the said Gabriel McNeal Esq. a Justice OF
the Peace for said township, hereby au-
thorizng him to execute and discharge
all and singular the duties appertaining
: to said office, and to enjoy all the priv
ileges and immunities thereof for and
during the term of three years from the
date hereof, agreeably to the constitution
and laws of this state.
: "CsEAL.l In testimony whereof, have
! hereunto set my name, and caused the
Great Seal Of the State of Ohio 20 be
affixed at Columbus. the sixteenth day
of November. in the year Of our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and sixteen,
and in the forty-first year of the indie
, pendence of the United States of
D America.
by his Excellency's Command. T..
Worthington
"Jer McLene Secretary of State"
DR.. McNeel died on his farm at Oak
, Hill, July %, 1s4s take the following
obituary notice from the Western Chris
tian Advocate. 1t was written by Elder
John Stewart: "Died, July 22d, at his
residence in Jackson county, Ohio Rev.
Gabriel McNeel, in the seventy-second
year Of his age.
He was a native of Virginia, and en-
braced religion, and joined the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in the days of his
: youth. When and where he received his
fret license to exhort, and then preach,
cannot easily at this time be ascertained.
His oldest licence to preach is dated
June l, 1905, and signed by Rev. James
Ward, Presiding Elder. His parchment
: shows that he was ordained deacon by
Bishop Asbury, in Chillicothe, October 5,
1912. He was minister of very respec-
table talents, and as a doctor, in the
, practice Of medicine, he was laborious
! and successful He was celebrated, and
deservedly so, as a man Of ingenuity his
inventive mind was not surpassed by any;
and as to his requirements, his stock of
} knowledge was large, and extending to
almost all subjects. II lived piously,
, and came to his end in peace. His last
} illness was severe, lasting only nine days,
and being located in his mouth and
} throat, his attendants and visitors could
} have little conversation with him; but
he gave evidence that he retained his
} right reason, and that he was prepared
! for Heaven"
Now this party of honesty and reform
has nominated for President Samuel J.