Robert S. Neil
Robert S. Neil, P. O. London, a prominent farmer and stock-dealer of this township, was born at Columbus, Ohio, February 23, 1834. His father, Robert Neil, is a native of Clark County, Ky.. and formerly operated a stage line from Washington. D. C., to Lexington, Ky. He was President of the Little Miami Railroad for some time, and its principal executive officer for many years. Ho located at Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, in 1811, and was there during the war of 1812. He removed to Kentucky, and subsequently to Columbus, Ohio, where he has since resided. He is probably the oldest living pioneer in thai city. He married Mary M., daughter of the Rev. John Hoge, D. D., who preached the first Presbyterian sermon in the village of Franklinton (now Columbus), Ohio, and who officiated as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of that city for over fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Neil were the parents of eight children, seven living, two in this county. Mr. Neil is still living, in his eighty-seventh year, his companion having departed this life. Our subject early attended the Ohio University, at Athens, and subsequently spent four years in the scientific department of Yale College. He returned from college in 1853, with the expectation of engaging in some manufacturing enterprise, but yielding to the solicitations of his mother, he abandoned that idea, and engaged in banking a short time; subsequently entered the employ of the Little Miami Railroad. He remained in this company's employ for thirteen years, at the end of which period (1866), he located on his present farm of 1,065 acres in this township, which his father had previously purchased. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and stock-dealing, meeting with moderate success. In his political opinions, Mr. Neil is in sympathy with the Republican party, and since his residence in Paint Township he has served one term as Township Trustee. He was united in marriage in October, 1864, to Parmelia, daughter of Joseph Sullivant, and a native of Columbus, Ohio. Of the three children born to them, two are living—David B. and Joseph S., both in attendance at the Columbus High School. Mrs. Neil is in very feeble health, and spends the winter months in Columbus.
From History of Madison County - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]