75. Another Hugh O'Neill, son of another John O'Neill

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 4^th 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