Charles I. McNeal
Charles I. McNeal, who saw active service on the Mexican border and overseas in France with the rank of lieutenant, since his return from abroad has been assistant county engineer of Crawford County. He is a highly qualified man in his profession.
Mr. McNeal was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, February 19, 1888, son of James C. and Martha E. (Wise) McNeal. His father was born in Crawford County, in 1853, lived on a farm there until he was twenty, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until recent years. He married Martha E. Wise, of Lake County, Indiana, and for six years they lived at Crown Point in that county. Since then their home has been at Bucyrus. His father is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Nevada, Ohio, and is a democrat, and the mother is a member of the English Luthern Church. There are three children: Mervin, a carpenter and contractor; Charles I.; and Ulah, wife of Robert Hennecke, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Charles I. McNeal spent his early life on the farm, and acquired a country school education. Farming was his regular work and vocation until he was twenty-three years of age. He then moved to Bucyrus, was employed as a mechanic in a garage, and for three years was connected, with the street paving business. In the meantime he had been serving with a unit of the Ohio National Guard. He accompanied his regiment to the Mexican border June 16, 1916, and remained on duty there until March 23, 1917. During the interval of three months he was employed in the county engineer's office. On July 15, 1917, he joined the colors for service in the World war and on the 24th of August was sent to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, where he remained ten months,, going there with the rank of second lieutenant and being promoted to first lieutenant. June 15, 1918, his command embarked for France and two in Belgium. He remained overseas until March 18, 1919, arrived in the United States April 1, and was mustered out at Camp Sherman, Ohio, April 13. He then returned to Bucyrus, and resumed his duties as assistant county engineer.
September 12, 191, Mr. McNeal married Alma Auck, who graduated from the Bucyrus High School in 1918. She is a member of the Methodist Church and he belongs to the English Lutheran denomination. Lieutenant McNeal is one of the charter members and the present commander of Colonel Crawford Post No. 181, American legion. He is also affiliated with Bucyrus Lodge No. 139, Free and Accepted Masons, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a democrat in politics.
From History of Ohio, vol. V, By Charles B. Galbreath, American Historical Society Publishers, 1925