Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-11
M'NEILL IS NO MORE
The Well Known Rock Island
Citizen Passes Away.
EXPIRES AT THE SOLDIERS ZONE.

Buried In the Cemetery Adjoining the
state InstItution for the Veterans 1t
3uinry-C Close Of CopspIeuous Career In
This city.
Quincy McNeili is dead and
buriedr'
The above intelligence borne in q
reply from inquiry made by The
AKGCs by wire at the State Soldiers
home Of reports to that effect we're
true. told briefly with the endorse
ment of Supt. Kirkwood, Of the in
stitu ion. all that was to be said Of
the end Of Maj Quincy Mcneil. The
news reached the city last evening
that the major had passed away, but
on visit to the son of the deceased
this morning. it was learned
that no direct tidiugs had been
received. Hence the dispatch to
Quincy and the answer as given,
Mr.. McNeill also telegraphipg for iu-
formation, and later receiving the
confirmation OF the previous intelli-
gcnce. Major McNeill died at the
Soldiers Home at Quincy early Mon
day morning OF heart disease. The
evening before, according to letter
from John Williamson to relatives in
Rock Island. he had been in his &C.
customed spirits, joking with those
about him and smoking his pipe. He
was buried as the Home cemetery the
same day.
A Conspicuous Career.
Quincy McNeill was born ia Indi-
ana Nov. 81, 1922. While yet quite
young he came to Rock Island
county with his father, Daniel Nc
Neill. who afterward served as judge
Of the court In the counties on the
Iowa side OF the river, with home at
DE Witt, Iowa. The deceased in his
early days taught school in q little
old school house which was situated
iE the center OF what is now Spencer
square, and many Of our citizens Of
today can recall "reminiscences OF
the days when they received instruc-
ton IRON Schoolmaster McNeill.
Aft-rward he was admitted to the
bar. but never practiced to any ex-
tent. From 1856 to 1860 he was cir
cult clerk for Rock Island county,
and prior tn that time as we'll rs
years after he had served Is deputy
in the Offices. In fact for Is to 80
years he was o familiar figure
about the court house, taking close
interest in all that happened there
and being actively identified with
politics, and was one OF the most en-
thusiastic. incorporating republi-
cans OF the county.
At the outbreak of the war he en-
listed in the 18th Illinois infantry.
but was afterward in the Second Ilii-
nois cavalry. He rose in the ranks
from lieutenant to captain and finally
became major of the 26th Mississippi
colored infantry. Afterward he rose
to the rank Of colonel and still later
to that Of brigadier-general, aud he
had papers to that effect, but no one
knew it from him. He preferred to
be known by the familiar title OF
"major." He was mau of modest
demeanor. yet Of wonderful eccen-
tricity. He was good-hearted and
generous. yet outspoken, pronounced
and independent. He stood in his
own light. and often by the peculiar
cha actcr of his nature overshadowed
the brilliancy Of his own intellect.
He did not make use OF the talent
that was given him. Those who knew
him best, however, liked him thor
oughly and always spoke we'll OF him.
Mr.. MrNeill was married in Rock
Island in the early SOS to Miss Mary
Mclaughlin. who died in 1886. The
children who survive are: Ella, wife
Of l.. II. Carey. Of st. Paul; Charles,
Of Clinton; Laura. wife Of s. s. Irv.
ing. of Minneapolis; George. whose
whereabouts are unknown; Arthur.
OF Rock Island. and Ralph. Of Cleve-
land, o.