The O’Neill Book
Section 3C: Hugh O’Neill
Hugh, born June 1, 1830
Hugh,
second son of John and Anne O’Neill, was born in Monroe County, Ohio (now
Noble), June 1, 1830. Not much is know of his educational advantages, but
probably a little better than that of his oldest brother.
On
reaching his majority, he moved into Lawrence County where his oldest brother
had already located. In Hugh’s bio in Hardesty’s “Atlas of Lawrence County,
OH,” it says Hugh arrived in 1853, which would have made him 23 years old.
This Hugh settled in Mason
Township on land adjoining that of his brother, but after some years sold out
and moved into the Symmes Valley, which is in Windsor Township and near the
village of Linnville. There he followed the avocation of farming and stock
raising.
He
offered his services as a soldier in the Civil War, but was rejected on account
of physical difficulties. The Hardesty Atlas calls it “general disability.”
About
the year 1861 he was united in marriage with Sarah Brammer, daughter of Edmond
and Nina Brammer and a descendant of “Light Horse” Harry Lee, as already noted
in another branch of the O’Neill family…
The
Hardesty Atlas says they were married on 13 Nov 1859. Marriage Book 5, page
151, of Lawrence County says the date was 15 Nov, and her name was Sarah J.
To this
union three children were born: Nina, the oldest and only daughter, was named
for her Grand-Mother Brammer; and Thomas E. These (two) were born in Mason
Township; and John H., who was born in Windsor Township.
The
Hardesty Atlas says Nina was born 19 Nov 1860; Thomas E. 23 Jun 1863; and John
H. 30 Aug 1868. The Atlas says they also had an adopted daughter, Rosa Day,
born 21 Feb 1876. G. W. did not mention this child. Hugh’s 1880 Census entry,
page 415B, shows this girl, but as “Rosa Weaver.”
Nina, in
her younger woman-hood days, engaged in the millinery business at Wellsville,
Kansas, in partnership with her cousin Mary O’Neill of that place. On returning
some years later, Nina was united in marriage with Thomas E. Payne of Wilgus,
Ohio. She was Mr. Payne’s second wife. He died in a few years after their
marriage. There was born of this union one child: a daughter named Avanelle.
Nina receives a widow’s pension, for Mr. Payne had been a veteran of the Civil
War.
Nina
with her child moved back to her old home where she spent several years in
companionship with her widowed mother. Avanelle, on reaching womanhood, took a
business course and has now for several years been employed by the Dupont
Company of Huntington, West Virginia. Nina and Avanelle are living, at present,
at 812 Adams Ave. in Huntington, WV.
The 1920
census of Huntington, page 251, shows Nina, age 59, and “Avinell,” age 15,
living on 4th Street with Nina’s younger brother Thomas and his wife
Bessie and daughter Alice.
Thomas
E., elder son of Hugh and Sarah O’Neill, was born June 1863 in Mason Township
as already stated, but he spent the greater part of his boyhood days in Windsor
Township near the village of Linnville, Ohio. On coming of age, he secured
employment as an apprentice in a machine shop in Huntington, West Virginia. In
the course of a few years, he became a partner with a Mr. Ingram in the
business.
Soon
after Mr. Ingram died, Tom took over the entire business. The plant has been
known for many years as the “Tom O’Neill Machine Shop.” “An Ohio River Anthology,” published in 1931
verifies this account, and adds that he was a widower by this time. He was also
“Protestant, Democrat, Mason, Elk.”
Since the decease of his parents, Tom has
purchased the old home where his boyhood days had been spent. He remodeled and
modernized the place, making it a beautiful country residence. Thus planning to
divide his time between the farm and the shop in the city.
Late in
life, about 1917, Thomas O’Neill was untied in marriage with Bessie Henson
Payne of Millers, Ohio. She was a widow, with a small daughter named Beverly.
Tom adopted the daughter, who is now grown and married to a Mr. Haskins of
Huntington. They have some family.
Just as
Tom was planning to move to the farm and spend the evening of life together, he
and Bessie, she died. Tom’s Post Office is probably Willow Wood, Ohio.
John Henry, youngest of the family
of Hugh and Sarah O’Neill, was born after the family had moved into the Symmes
Valley, probably about 1870. We have no exact date. After common school, he
took the required Normal Course and taught school for a few terms. After a few
short years of school work, he took up the study of medicine at Louisville, Ky.
In company, I believe, with his cousin O. U. O’Neill, already referred to.
He
graduated in 1899 and located at North Kenova and built up a real good
practice. But looking for something better, as I suppose, he sold out there and
moved to Morgan City, LA, where he also did well. He was united in marriage
with Katie Forgey of Proctorville, Ohio, in 1894. To this union three children
were born, a daughter and two sons.
The 1920
census of Morgan City, page 185, shows John H. O’Neill, age 50, born OH, with
Kathryn, wife, age 48, born OH, and sons Merlin, age 21, and Eddwin, age 14,
both born OH.
Marie, the daughter, was
married in 1916 to Alvin Brizzard of Cincinnati, Ohio. They live in Morgan
City, LA. and have three sons: O’Neill, John, and “Buddy.”
The 1920
census of Morgan City on page 180 shows this couple just with son O’Neill. The
LDS Family History catalog lists a genealogy, “The Brizzard Family of Morgan
City, LA,” which features this family, but I have not seen a copy.
Merlyn,
the older son of John H. and Katie O’Neill, is a Captain in the US Navy with
headquarters in Washington, D.C. He is married, but my informant did not
remember her family name, but her given name is Esther. They have two
daughters.
Eddie
(Morris E.) a few years ago, when I last saw him, was a teacher in a school of
higher grade in the City of New Orleans. He is now in Chicago and probably
engaged in like employment. I believe him to still be unmarried.
Dr.
O’Neill (John Henry) in May 1933 lost his life by drowning in deep water near
his home. His body was never recovered. The tragedy was reported as suicide,
but causes leading up to such an act, have never been satisfactorily explained.
Some of his friends regard it as a murder by a political enemy.
Katie,
the wife of Dr. J. H. O’Neill, died at her home in Morgan City, LA, Sept 1935.
Her body lies in the Cemetery of that city.
This
Hugh, second son of John and Anne O’Neill, and father of the family just
written up, departed this life at his home near Linnville, Ohio, November 14,
1893, aged 63 years. Uncle Hugh was a man of strong Irish characteristics and
many sterling qualities. He died beloved by all who knew him. His mortal
remains lie in the (Locust Grove) Cemetery marked by a block of Swedish
granite.
Aunt
Sarah continued to reside at the old home through the years of her widowhood.
The 1910
census of Lawrence County, page 260, shows Sarah, age 72, living as a Boarder
with the family of William J. Payne. William was probably related by marriage
to Sarah’s daughter Nina.
She died Oct. 19, 1917 at the
age of four-score years. She had long been a member of Symmes Creek Baptist
Church, and had lived a good life, and died triumphantly. Her body sleeps
beside her husband in the Locust Grove Cemetery.
Copy from "The Hugh O'Neill Family: From County Carlow To Ohio" June 14, 2005
