The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
A Charter Member of the
State Firemen's Associ-
alton and Now Serv-.
ing his Fifth Term
as President of
that Organ
ization.

One Of the most faithful, indefatiga5se
and efficient fire chiefs In the State IS
the gentleman whose name captions ms
article Il man who is known all over the
State as an honorable. upright citizen, a
sterling Democrat and a man of the pea-
ple. whose aims and aspirations he
shares and enjoys.
Chief Mcneil is indeed a veteran fire
man, having joined the department n
1865. He was elected chief in lSS2
and has been annually reelected ever
since, record | believe. to be unsur-
passed in the State. He is one of the
charter members of the State Firemen's
Association, and is now serving his
Fifth term as president Of that honored
association.
MIR. Mcneil is by birth North Car
Gilman, and first saw the CLEAN of dawn
at Asheboro. March 18th, 1850. His an
cestry is numbered among the old and
distinguished families Of the State. He
is the granddaughter of Judge Thomas
Ruffin Our subjects father was n
minister of the gospel.
He was educated at the schools of
Fayetteville and subsequently matricn-
lated at the famous old Davidson Col
lege. and remained there until 1865. At
that period hestook Horace Greely's adj
vice and went west where he passed
through nlany varied and exciting expert
ences us cowboy until the year 1870
when he returned to Fayetteville and
engaged in the milling business. Mr..
Mcneil now owns and operates the
famous old.
aIElRCH ANTS MILL.
The pioneer mill Of Fayetteville, locat-
ed on Cross Creek near the center of
Fayetteville, on the old Flora Melon.
aid site. This mill is run by water
power, is splendidly and modernly
equipped and has i capacity of from
three to four hundred bushels per diem.
lit is easily the leading mill Of the sec
tian and gives employment to large
number of operatives. Its products are
not only consumed locally, but have a
large demand throughout tne surround
ing section. Mr.. Mcneil thoroughly I'M
derstands the business and keeps every
thing running in an up-to-date manner,
so characteristic of the man himself.
He gives his personal supervision to the
running of the mill and his business is
in hourishing and prosperous condi-
ton.
In 1870, our subject entered into the
political arena and since that date has
rendered excellent service to the cause
of Democracy. In politics he is Dem
Ocrat from inheritance and principle and
has never voted any other than straight
Democratic ticket. He has been termed
the '..Richard Croker" of Fayetteville
and it is said that when James ID. Nc
Neill sets his mind upon anything, he
will carry it in spite of any and all
opposition.
For period Of fourteen years, our
subject efficiently served the city as a
member Of the Board Of Aldermen and
made a record in that body hard to beat.
He was chairman of the board Of audit
and finance from 1893 to 1897. He was
chairman of the Democratic Executive
committee Of the county for period of
twelve years and was last spring APP
pointed by the legislature a member Of
the State Board of Elections.
As chairman of the County Executive
Committee he not only made a fine rec
ord, but was reelected each time by ac-
clamat;on until he absolutely refused a
denomination. As ehairmanof the board
of water commission, he was the lead
ing spirit in Installing the water works
SYSTEM of Fayetteville and this system
as undoubtedly one of the best in the
State. While chairman Of the Board of
Audit and finance committee he succeed
ed in refunding the city debt of seven per
cent at five. thus making a tremendous
saving for the city. He is the life and
soul of the fire department.
Aside from his business and political
achievements, he organized the Second
Division of the Naval Reserves, in 1892.
and was made senior lieutenant in the
navy with the rank of captain in the
State Guard.
In local matters he has always done
his share towards the up-building OF
Fayetteville, spending both mis- time ana
money to accomplish that purpose. He
is stakeholder in nearly everything in
the way Of enterprise in the city. He
is hustling member of the chamber OF
commerce, and was formerly for several
years, yfce-president of that able and
progressive organization. In secret or
ganizations. he is member in excellent
standing of the Odd Fellows.