Founder of Neillsville, Wisconsin. James was one of nine children born to Andrew and Jane (Armstrong) O'Neill. Growing up James worked on his father's farm and in his brothers store as a clerk. In 1829, he and his brothers started working in the lumbering business. By 1836 he was working along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in the lumbering business. James frequently became ill working along the rivers, so in 1839 he moved to the Black River Falls Wisconsin area. In 1844 he built a lumber mill in what is now Neillsville and established the town. James served in the Wisconsin State Legislature, was a town chairman, county judge, county treasurer and school superintendent. James was first married in 1847 to Jane Douglas. They had 3 children. Jane died in 1873. James then married Mrs. Caroline Teller and they had one son. James' father, Andrew, is my fourth great-grandfather.
Founder of Neillsville, Wisconsin. James was one of nine children born to Andrew and Jane (Armstrong) O'Neill. Growing up James worked on his father's farm and in his brothers store as a clerk. In 1829, he and his brothers started working in the lumbering business. By 1836 he was working along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in the lumbering business. James frequently became ill working along the rivers, so in 1839 he moved to the Black River Falls Wisconsin area. In 1844 he built a lumber mill in what is now Neillsville and established the town. James served in the Wisconsin State Legislature, was a town chairman, county judge, county treasurer and school superintendent. James was first married in 1847 to Jane Douglas. They had 3 children. Jane died in 1873. James then married Mrs. Caroline Teller and they had one son. James' father, Andrew, is my fourth great-grandfather.
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