John R. Neal

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John Randolph Neal
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1885  March 3, 1889
Preceded by George Gibbs Dibrell
Succeeded by Henry Clay Evans
Personal details
Born November 26, 1836 (1836-11-26)
Anderson County
Died March 16, 1889 (1889-03-17) (aged 52)
Rhea Springs, Tennessee
Citizenship  United States
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Mary E. C. Brown Neal
Children Dr. John R. Neal, Jr.; Commander George F. Neal; Amanda Neal Wheelock
Alma mater Hiwassee College, Emory and Henry College
Profession Teacher, attorney
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America Confederate States of America
Service/branch Confederate States Army
Rank captain

lieutenant colonel

Unit 16th Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry
Battles/wars American Civil War

John Randolph Neal (November 26, 1836 March 16, 1889) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district.

Biography

Neal was born near Clinton, Tennessee in Anderson County son of John O'Brien and Permelia Young Neal. He attended the common schools and Hiwasse College in Monroe County, Tennessee. He graduated from Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia in 1858. He taught school at Post Oak Springs and studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1859, and commenced practice in Athens, Tennessee. At the beginning of the war, he married to Mary E. C. Brown, daughter of Franklin Brown. They had three children; Dr. John R. Neal, Jr., Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee, and Scopes Trial attorney;[1] Commander George F. Neal, U. S. N. and D. S. O. from King George V for distinguished service during World War I for sinking a German submarine, and Navy Cross from Congress for loyal service; and Amanda Neal Wheelock.[2]

Career

During the Civil War, Neal enlisted in the Confederate Army and was elected captain of a Cavalry troop, which afterward became a part of the 16th Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant colonel of the battalion. He taught school for several years, settled at Rhea Springs, Tennessee, and continued the practice of law. He was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1874. He served in the Tennessee Senate in 1878 and 1879, and served as its presiding officer in 1879.[3]

Neal was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses. He served from March 4, 1885 to March 3, 1889,[4] but declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1888 on account of ill health.

Death

Neal died at Rhea Springs, Tennessee, in Rhea County on March 16, 1889 (age 52 years, 120 days).[5] He is interred at the W.F. Brown family cemetery in Post Oak Springs, Roane County, Tennessee.

References

  1. Alice Howell, Lucile Deaderick (ed.), Heart of the Valley: A History of Knoxville, Tennessee (East Tennessee Historical Society, 1976), pp. 582.
  2. "John R. Neal". Tennessee Genealogy Trails. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  3. "John R. Neal". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  4. "John R. Neal". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  5. "John R. Neal". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 

External links


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