Evening journal., 1899-02-14
SQUIRE O'NEIL DEAD.
Well-known Councilman From
the First Ward Passes Away.
WAS NOTARY PUBLIC 28 YEARS


IN CITY COUNCIL AND WAS AN
ACTIvD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF /
MIR. O'NEEuL's LIFE.
Squire George O'NeiM. member of
CITY Council from the First ward. died
at his residence. No 4O1 Tatnall street, /
ait LIS O'Clock this morning from an
attack of the grip.
George O'NeEl, was born in London
derry, Ireland, on March IS, 1918. He
was educated in the public schools Of
his native country, and when a young
man engaged in the business of water
man and was occupied in supplying
cutgoing vessels from the port of Lon
ldonderry with water for drinking and
other purposes.
In the year 1851 George O'Neill,
then 80 years of age, came to this
country, landing at Philadelphia. He
remained in that city untl March,
1854. when he came to Wilmington.
During his residence in Philadelphia
he was employed as shipping clerk for
the large sheet-lead manufacturing
firm of Tatum & Boro, but while in
their employ he contracted lead collie
and was forced to give up his posi-
ton.
Upon arriving in this city Mr.. OiNeil
was employed as a labOrer with the
Charles Warner COmuany, and work
ed for that firm until his appointment
as justice of the peace and notary pub
lie in the early sixties by Acting Gov
ernor Saulsib5fry, who was filling the
unexpired term of Governor Cannon,
deceased.
For twenty-one years Mr.. O'Neill
oonscientiously and ably filled the po-
sition Of these two offices, having
been reappointed twice, and was sue
lcaeded as justice of the peace by James
Monaghan, the present incumbent.
After the expiration Of his term as
notary public, the Legislature passed
a special act in 1891 commissioning
Mr.. ONeil again notary. His term
expired last year and 10 made no APP
plicauion for reapposHtment. Mr.
O'Neill was a member Ct City Coun-
Gil frcm the First ward since July
llS99, when he succeeded Daniel Ross.
Republican. At the time of his cleo
tion he was opposed by Moses We'll,
and beat his opponent by a vote Of
2O5 to 131. His present term Ct Coun-
Gil expired in June next.
Since his seat in Council Mr.. O'Neill
had been the leader OF his side Of the
Council chamber, and his words were
always weighed and much respected,
both by his political opponents and his
parity friends. He was chairman OF
J the Law and Public Building commit
tees, and a member of the Bonds, Elec-
tions and Engrossment committees OF
Council.
The deceased was at one time can
didate for the nomination for mayor
his opponent being the late William G
r Whitley. Mr.. O'Nein was beaten out
I in the nomination by an unfair count
this being the first instance Of ballot
box stuffing that had occurred in the
city.
a During the war Mr.. O'Neill was ac-
e tive in raising an Irish volunteer COM
= pany in this city for active service
The company was known as the Mont
p gOmery Guards, and was the second
one of the kind in the city. The
q guards, however, merged with the
D Irish company then belonging to the
S National Guards Of the state and un.
q der command of Captain, later Genera
Thomas A. Smyth, went to the front
for three months as Company II
Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry
After this service the company return
n ed and the men reinIisted for three
.e years. and under command Of Majol
% Smyth again saw active duty.
Mr. O'Neill had only been sick abou
10 four days, and was not confined to hi
* bed until within an hour or so of hil
Z. death which, though a shock to hil
Y family, was not wholly unexpected
lie alI'L dlNCnANu 0OuUNll Al llS meet
n ing on Thursday evening, February 9
but went down to Dover one day las
week to use his efforts to defeat tn
bill authorizing the Mayor and Cit.
Council to issue bonds to the extent G
rs $50, 600 for the use of the Street am
r Sewer Department. Mr. O'Neill wa
90 greatly opposed to this measure, an
expected to go TO Dover this week 4
&c the interest of the taxpayers. At tn
e. time Of his death he was attended b
n. Dr. Fahey, and the last rites of tn
at church were administered by an assist
ant priest from St. Peters Pro-Cathet
raj. He expired in the arms Of hi
eldest son, Daniel.
The deceased was always a DemC
'e- crat Of high standing and integrit.
lie and his counsel was sought on all ma
er tiers Of interest pertaining to his part
ea He was true to his friends and lenier
. to his enemies. He had been an actiN
member of ST. Peters Church since 4
came TO Wilmington, and took
prominent part in the work of his di'