Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-29
PASSING AWAY.
Another of Sacramento's Pioneer Citizens
Called from Earth

Another of Sacramento's Pioneer Citizens
Called from Earth.
The announcement in the RECORD UNION
yesterday morning of the death of John
Mcneil caused a sensation of profound
regret in this community, and especially
among the early settlers. The deceased
was one of those warm-h hearted, generous
men that it is always pleasure to meet.
About 1855 he was associated in business
with L. B. Benchley, under the firm name
of Benchley, Mcneil IL Co., ] street, be-
tween Sixth and Seventh, prior to which
time he was employed in a furniture store
at Fifth and K streets, where W. D. Com
stock is now in business. Later he became
associated with the firm of Sheath and
Arnold, grocers, on the northeast corner of
Second and ] streets.
In the spring of 1868 the partnership
was dissolved by mutual consent Mr..
Sheath retiring, and a new firm was formed
of John Arnold, John Mcneil, L. S. Ad-
ans and L. A. Epson, under the name of
John Arnold & Co., remaining so until
1866, when Mr.. Arnold sold his interest to
the remaining partners, and the firm name
became Adams, Mcneil e. Co. Mr.. Epson
disposed of his interest to the remaining
partners in January, 1868, and the firm was
then composed of l.. S. Adams and John
Mcneil, who have been interested in the
house in one capacity or another for over
quarter of a century. Mr.. Mcneil dis
posed of his interest August Is, 1889, on
account of failing health.
Mr.. Mcneil was a man who took lively
interest in all movements of a charitable
character, and was the last of the original
INf.ootorc Of tho Howard 900
citation, which was organized in 1857.
He was q Director of the Sacramento Lii
brary Association for many years, mem
Der of the Exempt Firemen's Association
from its organization, and the founder and
Musical Director of the Philharmonic So
ciety for about fifteen years from IFS organ
izstion, which was early in the ffties. He
was one of those men one delighted to meet
on any OCCASION There was no uncertain
grip of the hand but always hearty salu-
tation that readily put his caller at ease.
The church-goers of Sacramento who at
tended the Congregational Church third
of a century ago will call 10 mind the
charming music rendered by the choir,
consisting of Miss Tozer (since Mrs. Nc
NELLY, Mis-. May and John Mcneil, and
Harry Thompson, with L. B. Benchley
(Mr. McNeill's business partner, as organ
list. 1t was John Mcneil that first con-
ceived the idea of putting large pipe
organ in the church, and by his great
energy and money expenditures the two
organ concerts were successfully conducted
that contributed largely toward liquidating
the orgsn debt, and no one has contributed
in the past more than he toward building
up the society.
His friends had noticed that since the
death of his only daughter, Nudge, which
occurred nearly twenty years ago, he had
been prone to melancholy, as his heart was
partially buried with her, and he has not
seemed the same light hearted man since
To this sorrow was added the death Of his
only son. Goodwin, few years since-a
young man of bright promise-and his cup
of bitterness had since been oyerfowing
Deceased was good citizen, a generous
man, and warm friend. If ever mortal
has deserved well. his greeting in the Eter-
nal City will be: well done, thou good