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John McNeill papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6047

Scope and Contents note

Contains information pertaining to the life of John McNeil and family in American Fork, Utah.

Dates

  • 1859-1901

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from John McNeill family and professional papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

John McNeill (1827-1903) was a Scotland native who traveled to Utah with the pioneers. He eventually served as the American Fork mayor, alderman, and justic of the peace.

John McNeill, American Fork, Utah, farmer and city official, was born March 1, 1827 in Arniston, Midlothian, Scotland, to George McNeill and Margaret Logan McNeill. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints June 23, 1847 and married Janet Bowman on August 23, 1850. He and his family left for the United States in 1851 and arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1851. His wife, Janet, and young son, George, died of cholera near St. Louis, Missouri. Continuing his westward trek, John McNeill joined the pioneer party of John S. Higbee and arrived in Salt Lake City 14 August 1852.

While he worked in Salt Lake City he met Sophia Crooks. They were married 20 march 1853. In September 1853 they moved to American Fork, Utah. John McNeill and Sophia Crooks McNeill had eleven children; the couple later divorced. In 1868 John McNeill married Charlotte Spencer and the couple had ten children. In 1892 he married Eliza Goalen and they had two children. Eliza Goalen was born in Woolwich, Kent, England, March 22, 1861 and was buried in American Fork, Utah county, Utah, 21 November 1927.

John McNeill assisted in the construction of a community fort at American Fork and worked as a farmer. Active in local and civic affairs, he served as American Fork mayor (1882-1883), alderman, and justice of the peace. He died March 19, 1903.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Include two series: 1. John McNeill family papers, 1859-1901. 2. John McNeill professional papers, 1859-1901.

Appraisal note

19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts.

Title
Register of John McNeill papers
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Murphy, curator
Date
January 2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States