Richard Watson McNeal
was born in Erie County, New York, on the twentieth day of November, 1840. His father's name was Milo H. McNeal, and his mother was Sarah P. Playter. Both were born in the province of Upper Canada, and both families moved into Erie County, Western New York, at the breaking out of the war of 1812. Milo H. McNeal was a farmer and our subject grew up on a farm about two miles from Williamsville. He received his education in the common schools and the Academy at Williamsville. He taught school at Clarence, New York, during the winter of 1861 and 1862, and in August of 1862, he enlisted in the 50th New York Volunteer Engineers, and served till the close of the war, being discharged at Ft. Barry, Virginia, in June, 1865. On returning from the war, he taught school four more years, one year in Michigan, one year in Indiana, and two years in Iowa.
He was married to Sarah M. Gardner, of Amsterdam, New York, on the 26th of November, 1866.
He was admitted to the bar in Iowa, in May, 1867. He came to Ohio in 1869, living in Cincinnati until the spring of 1870, when he went to Brown County. In 1876, he went to Adams County, taking charge of the farm of Captain C. W. Boyd, at West Union. In 1878, he was elected to the office of probate judge, serving one term, from February, 1879, to February, 1882. He then formed a law partnership with J. M. Wells, which continued for two years. In the spring of 1884, he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, to take editorial charge of the Indianapolis Republican, having purchased one-half interest in the paper. In December, 1885, he sold his interest in that paper and moved to Rarden, Scioto County, Ohio, where he resided for ten years, practicing iaw in the courts of Adams and Scioto counties. In 1895, he left Rarden, and removed to Cincinnati. He resides at Hartwell and practices law in Hamilton County.
While a resident of Adams County, Judge McNeal was regarded as an excellent citizen. He was courageous and able in his advocacy of any principle or issue, which he believed to be right. He discharged the duties of probate judge with marked ability and fidelity. Before his election, he declared his hostility to the corrupt use of money in elections and on that idea, was elected by a good majority.
As a lawyer, Mr. McNeal is zealous in the interests of his clients and is an advocate of more than ordinary ability.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900