McNEILL, FRANCIS A., born Jan. 1, 1809, in Allegheny county, Md. He was baptized in infancy by Rev. Francis Asbury, the first Bishop of the M. E. church in America. He was converted in early life, and at twenty years of age was in the ministry and stationed at Frederick City, Md. His health failing, he commenced the study of medicine, and in 1834 graduated at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, and located at Shepherdstown, Va. He was married Feb. 1, 1830, in Frederick City, Md., to Mary E. Cronise, who was born there, March 4, 1812. Dr. McNeill and wife moved from Shepherdstown, Va., to Springfield, Ill., in the spring of 1835. He practiced medicine in Springfield twelve years, and at the same time retained his ministerial connection. He was ordained deacon in 1833, at Baltimore, by Bishop Hedding, and ordained Elder in 1837, at Jacksonville, Ill., by Bishop Soule. In 1847 Dr. McNeill moved to Peoria, and became pastor of the Methodist church at that place. From there he was appointed to Racine, Wisconsin, and from there to Mt. Morris, Ogle county, Ill., October, 1852. His labors in the ministry had again impaired his health, and at Mt Morris he resumed the practice of Mediciue. Dr. McNiell had ten children, five of whom died young, and

MARY F. died, aged eleven years.

Of the other four--

ANN NORVELLA, born June 26, 1835, in Shepherdstown, Va., partially brought up in Springfield, was married at Mt. Morris, Ill., Feb. 1, 1854, to Henry I. Little, who was born Nov. 25, 1826, in Washington county, Md. They have nine children, WILLIAM F., CHARLEY F., ELDRIDGE H., MARY E., ARTHUR B., ELLEN L., WILLIAM McN., NORVELLA L. and KITTIE L. Mr. Little is a dry goods merchant, and resides at Mt. Morris, Ogle county, Illinois.

JAMES F., born Oct. 15, 1841, in Springfield, Ill., enlisted August 12, 1862, for three years, in Co. G, 114th Ill. Inf. He was promoted to Sergeant-Major, served to the close of the rebellion, was honorably discharged, August 15, 1865, and was afterwards clerk in the Adjutant-General's office until that office was abolished. He was married Nov. 18, 1872, to Julia E. Hibbs, a native of New York City. They have two children, WALTER F. and MABEL. James F. McNeal is corresponding clerk in the first National Bank, of Springfield, Ill., and resides in the city.--1876.

WILBUR A., born June 12, 1843, in Springfield, Ill., resides at Machachinock, Mahaska county, Iowa.

HOBART W., born June 18, 1847, in Peoria, Ill., was married May 15, 1869, at Eldora, Iowa, to Lizzie Phillips. They have one living child, ANNA M., and reside at Oscaloosa, Iowa.

While Dr. F. A. McNeill was living in Peoria, his wife, Mrs. Mary E. McNeill visited friends in Springfield, and died there Nov. 24, 1849. Dr. McNeill was married Feb. 2, 1857, at Mt. Morris, Ill., to Barbara E. Wagner, who was born Oct. 6, 1834, in Washington county, Maryland. They had four children, two of whom only are living, namely--

KITTIE M. and

FRANK S., who reside with their mother.

Rev. Francis A. McNeill, M. D., died Feb. 3, 1872, at Mt. Morris, Ogle county, Ill., and his widow resides there. Dr. McNeill was a man of much more than ordinary ability, and of untiring industry. In addition to the labors of two professions, he found time to devote to political matters. Having from childhood witnessed the pernicious influence of slavery, he very early in life became an opponent of its extension. It was partly to avoid its influence that he moved West. While practicing medicine in Springfield, he took an active part in the polities of the day. As a public speaker, he advocated the election of Harrison for President in 1840, and in 1844 was a delegate to the convention that nominated Clay for President. He was one of the delegates from Ogle county to the convention that assembled in Bloomington in 1856, which gave birth to the Republican party. Being a warm friend of Mr. Lincoln, while living in Springfield, when the latter became a candidate for President, he had not a more ardent supporter than Dr. McNeill.

Before the convention assembled that nominated Mr. Lincoln, Dr. McNeill was editing a paper at Mount Morris, and was among the first to hoist the name of Abraham Lincoln for President. In 1860 he was elected Representative from Ogle county, for two years, in the State Legislature; and was, consequently, in that body when the rebellion broke out. He was appointed Oct. 12, 1861, by Governor Yates, army surgeon, and was with the 34th Ill. Inf. about six months, when he resigned on account of impaired health. He was commissioned July 18, 1862, hospital chaplain, and assigned to the post at Paducah, Ky., where he remained until 1864, when he was transferred to Louisville, as chaplain of the post there. He resigned August, 1865, returned home, and resumed the practice of medicine, which he continued until stricken down with paralysis, which, after a year's suffering, terminated in death--as previously stated--thus closing a well-spent life.