The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-01-17

OBITUARY.
Sketch OF the Late Jlrsmiah 0'NsiI Who Was
Well Known Here.

Sketch OF the Late J,rsmiah 0Nsil Who Was
Well Known Here.
The following extracts are from an
editorial sketch In the Chateaugay, N.
Y. Record OF the late Jeremiah O'Neil
who was the father OF Mrs John Pur-
cell and who himself spent much time
In Bennington.
Jeremiah O'Neil, formerly OF Clin'
ton, who died In New York city on Dec
20, 1906, deserves more than passing
notice, for he was 10 many respects q
remarkable man. He was born 10 Lin.
erlck, Ireland, on the 9th day OF No
vember, 1919 He was one IL a family
OF seven children who with their par.
ents sailed from Ireland for America
on April 3, 1888. His father Edmund
o Neil, was always known and hon
ored as "King O'Neil, " and he lived to
the ripe old age OF So, dying In Clinton
In November 1869.
Jeremiah married and settled Ia the
town OF Clinton about 63 years ago,
and was one OF its most honored citi.
liens. and lived on the same farm for
30 years. Being one of the early set
tiers h. experienced macy hardships
in bringing up and educating a family
Of eleven children, six sons and five
daughters, all OF whom reached man.
hood and womaphood. lie succeeded
in doing so by hard, honest work. He
was one OF the most industrious OF men
and his name was only synonym OF
honesty. He apparently possessed oil
the virtues, With none Of the vices pc.
cullar TO men.
"ilis word was as z )ol as any man :
oath or bond. No one ever thought
Of doubling jeremiah o'Neil's word.
Be was one of the Father Matthew
total abstainers never tasting liquor
OF ony kind since early childhood. lie
never used tobacco In any form, and
better far Than the other points his lips
II ahh thhkHN WIZ hfNtA bbtAat'N W
profanity. lie was never known to be
guilty Of cursinR, swearing, nor blasph.
eming. Is IL any wonder that we cal
I'd him a remarkable mani lie was
oae Of natures noblemeu. Like his
parents before him be was deeply and
truly religious. Like his father, he was
one OF the pillars Of the church. His
religion was not put on. on Sunday
and laii aside on Monday. lie was 40
earnest, jealous. practical Catholic
seven days 10 the week and 81 weeks 10
the year.
THE people we're perhaps afraid TO
meet so exemplary a man. by no
means. lie vas one OF the most Unas.
suming OF men, and was noted for
many social qualities. lie thoroughly
enjoyed a good story, was fond Of a
joke and loved 10 see people enjoy
themselves Ia harmless amusements.
rhere vas nothing Of the Pharisee
about him. His life was the same Ia
private as 10 public lie never assumed
4 sanctimonious face, but was just
shat he appeared to be a God fearing
man. lie thoroughly enjoyed a social
game Of cards for pastime aud always
played 10 win.
"lie wss "a great reader and lover Of
books His love for truth was so great
hat Il was uosaic foe careless people TO
make false statements Ia his presence.
The good loved him; the bad feared,
yot respected him. While a resident Of
Clinton, his fellow citizens often select
ID him for various Office, some OF
thieh he accepted, others he refused
Tor conscientious reasons. He was a
Haunch Democrat during his entire
life aud never failed 10 cast his vote.
Though absen, from & ln,on II years,
he retained his residence ard always
voted az Cherubusco, casting his las,
vote on Nov. @, 1905"
Two sons, Michael and JercmIih,
having died IN the vest, he IL survivev
by four sons aud iie daughters. name
~ Edmund and James 81 California;
John Of Colorado. and William, OF
/ Chicago; Misses Mary aud Hannah,
% New York city; Mrs Michael Nc
Caun, OF New Britain, Conn; Mrs
John Purcell, Of Bennington, VI, AM
Mrs Robert Il. Powers, OF Clinton.