The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-04-23
REPRESENTATIVE puBLlc MEN.


Hon. Henry =. Neal,
Representative in the Forty.seventh Con-
gress from the Eleventh District Of Ohio. tknown as
the Hanging Rock Iron District was born at Gal.
lipolis Ohio August e5, iS2s. lie graduated at Ma
rietta College, Ohio, In iSE Immediately there
aftorhc began the study Of law with Hon. simon
Nash, Of the leading lawyers and iurlsts OF Ohio,
aud upon being admitted TO the bar located at Iron
ton, where he has ever since resided. Ironton
then town Of about I, 600 inhabitants. It has now
Increased to population VI Ia, 0OO Mr. Neal ap-
piled himself diligently to his profession, and has
achieved honorable distinction therein. Being
Jealous member of the whig party, aud at the same
time anti slavery In his sentlmcnts-or what at that
time was called an anti. slavery whig-upon the dis
solution of the WhiG party and the organization Of
tho Republican party, in 1854, Nir. Neal be-
came from the FIRST OF It's leading advocates and
supporters. Tho Republican party, seeing his merits,
selected him OF Its standard bearers I'm the po-
itica campaign VI 1868, aud elected him to the Sem
ate Of the ohio Legislature, where he served so ac-
ceptaby to his constituents that ho was reelected in
the fa Of 1865. After q service OF four years In the
ohio Legislature to the satisfaction and approval o the
people who elected him as well as the public ut large
hc returned to private life and gave sattentlon again
to the practice Of his profession until the spring OF
1869, whcn his health being impaired, he accepted
the appointment of Consul vt Lisbon, Portugal The
Minister Resident resignlug his position In the
following autumn Mr.. Neal was placed In charge
OF the legation and discharged the duties Of Minister
Resident until in April, 1870 he rendered his resR
nation, which, Judging from the following extract
from letter written by Hon. J, c. II. Davis Assist
ant Secretary of state, accepted with sincere
gret:
take this occasion to remark that II gives me great
pleasure To e able TO say your administration OF your
vJe ms me, ohS apnr0v3tm m lhe pspartmen1 es
have discharged the duties uf charge d'aharcs since
You have had charge Of the mission at Lisbon.
Upon his return to Ohio, in 1870, he again resumed
the practice NJ the law. In 1874 he was elected a
delegate to the ohio Constitutional Convention. As
| member OF the judiciary Committee he took an
active part In the preparation OF judicial code, and
In the debates Of tho convention In support OF the
plan proposed his scholarly and legal requirement,
| made him most capable aud efficient counselor.
In 1876 MIR. Neal was selected to make the for
Congress In the Eleventh Congressional District o
Ohio. His opponent was Luther u. Vance OF Gilllp-
| oils, q very popular gentleman, who had defeated
the Republican member In the Forty fourth Congress
The ohio campaign FOR the election of State an,
county officers aud members Vt Congress preceded TIN
Presidential election OF 1870, Hayes and Tllden ben
at the head Of the opposing tickets The contest
carried on with great spirit and zeal by both parties
Mi. Neal ala his full share OF the work In Canvassn
his district. Hemode speeches In every sectlou aud
was rewarded by seeing his party successful and him
self elected to the Forty NTH Congress by maIorlC
| of 500 over his opponent.
In ISIS the Democratic party having the majorit
In the Legislature caused the state to he redlstricted
and the Eleventh Congressional District was change
and made up of the counties Of Ross Hooking, Vim
ton, Pike, Lawrence, and Scoto, which was don
| for the purpose OF giving the district TO the Demo
| Gratis. Hon. James Emmett, wealthy and innuen
| tal Democrat of Pike County, was made the nominC
| Of the Democratic party, and MIR. Neal was agai
made the nominee Of the Republican party. The con
| test was warm and exciting one, and when the ba
lots were counted ont Mr.. Neal had n majority ovt
his competitor of 2 600 votes-a striking eyiden,
OF the successful candidates popularity, well
the folly Of such attempts at gerrymandering. -
The Republican party. having again majority
the Legislature restored the Eleventh CongresSon
District to It's former counties, namely, Gala, Law
renee, Scioto jackson, Hooking, and vinton. al
the Democracy selected one Of their abiest mel
Hon. Wells A. Huchins who had been memb
| OF the Thirty seventh Congress- to make the race e
them. Mr.. Neal was again nominated, and after
hard fought battle elected by majority Of ov
| ., OoO votes.
Mr. Neal is now in his NTH year OF service for h
district and country. His fidelity to principle h
knowledge of the wants OF his district and the dew
tion with which he has eIrdeavored to his co
sttuents. and at the time do Justice to the d
mands of all parts OF the country, aud especially
a member Of the House OF Representatives. Commit,
on the District Of Columbia has deservedly gained
| him the confidence of the people of this District.
In this, the Forty seventh Congress, ho holds Il
responsible position OF chairman OF the Committee
the District of Columbia with which he has so or
been associated. lie is also member of the Civil Sc
, vice Reform Committee. lie has arduously labored
have much needed Legislation enacted for the Disrlc
among which, pending. the bills 90 to establl
municipal code" and ''for the assessment and CO
lection Of taxes and licenses and for other purposes.