John F. Neilan
John F. Neilan, the prosecuting attorney of this county, is a native of Ireland. He was born in Roscommom County November 18,1845. His parents, Thomas Neilan and Sarah Dwyer, emigrated to this country in 1848, being forced to hat step by the misgovernment of the English. Mr. Neilan's family is one of the oldest and wealthiest in the west of Ireland, whose patrimony was confiscated by the British Government. John F. Neilan was but three years old when his parents came to the United States, locating New Haven, Connecticut, and as soon as he grew old enough was sent to school, where he received the rudiments of education.
In 1857 his parents came to the West, that boundless field for industry and thrift, and settled in Fayette County, in this state. There, with indomitable industry, they proceeded to clear off the virgin forests and get the ground ready for cultivation. From 157 to 1866 he led the usual life of a farmer's boy, but with few advantage commonly to be found in that position. His parents were very poor and he received no school education after he was twelve years of age, with the exception of six or eight months each Winter, when the weather was so bad that no work could be done on the farm.
He was, however, am incessant reader. He read every thing he could lay his hands on-books, magazines, and newspapers. History, biography, and travels were his favorites, and so industriously did he pursue his reading that he was known by all to be a well-informed young man at age twenty. His love for his adopted country and his hatred of the British rule led him to pay particular attention to history of the United States and the Revolutionary struggle. He sat up night, reading the story of the blockade of Boston, the conflict at Lexington, the disastrous defeat at Brooklyn, the retreat across the Jerseys, the Winter at Valley Forge, the victories at Saratoga and Yorktown, the brilliant campaign of Greene in the South, and the thousand and one other facts that make up the history of our war for self-government, with no light but that of a log-fire, and alone.
In 1866 he began teaching school, for which he had qualified himself by study. This position enabled him to keep up his reading, and to find new books in each neighborhood. In this country, to which he came on the 16th March 1866, from Clark County he taught for six years. While teaching he studied law, a part of the time in the office of Judge Crane, and was admitted to practice in all Courts of record on the 13th of April 1874. In that year he became the editor of the Hamilton Examiner, a Democratic newspaper. He was married on the 2nd of June 1874 to Miss Jane W. Kincaid, daughter of Jackson Kincaid, who was born in Virginia, and Isabella HILL, a native of Butler County. Her birth was in December 1849. Mrs. Neilan has proven an estimable, loving wife, and their home has been a happy one. They have had three children, Thomas K., Mary E., and John F.Jr. Thomas was born December 4, 1875, was killed by the kick of a horse, on the 19th of July 1881. This was their first sorrow. Mary E. was born September 28, 1878. John F. Neilan, Jr., was born December 28,1881.
Mr. Neilan was elected city solicitor of Hamilton in April 1877, retaining the position till April 1881. In 1879, while holding that place, he was nominated for prosecuting attorney by the Democratic convention. Always an ardent, fearless, and successful political strategist, he was made the especial target of the opposition party. All corrupting influences possible in political warfare were brought to bear against him, but he was triumphantly elected and served the people for two years, and for his honorable course and ability as a shrewd, quick-witted criminal lawyer, he was given the nomination for a second term without opposition, and his election followed.
Mr. Neilan ranks today with first lawyers in our courts. His ability as an attorney and counselor, and reputation as speaker, gained in many hard fought political battle, have made him a reputation extending far beyond the confines of this county. He is man of great will power and determination, and always ready to give his opinion on all questions, and to conceal nothing. He is faithful and impartial in the discharge of his duties, and serves the people with honesty and ability. His intention is to resume the practice of law at the expiration of his term of office, and devote his whole attention to his chosen attention.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.