John McNiel, son of Gen Solomon McNiel and Nancy Pierce was born Nov 6,1822. He was educated in the common schools and at Hancock Literary and Scientific Institute, he studied law and practiced for a time in Antrim. ater he moved to his father's farm. He was Adjutant of the 26th Reguar NH Militia three years and represented the town in the State Legislature in 1864-1866 and afterwards moved to Concord NH and then to Winchester Mass. During President Franklin Pierce's administration he was inspector in the Boston Common House, enjoying the distinction of being the only relative of the President to be holding an office. He, at one time, was connected to the Boston & Lowell Railroad and was for several years agent of Dartmouth College and in charge of a large property there which was bequeathed to the college by his brother-in-law the Hon Tappen Wentworth.

History of Hillsboro 1735-1921 by George Waldo Browne, pg 392.

State of NH-Vital Records: Birth certificate

He was a confidential advisor of President Pierce in his final years. He married Cynthia, dau of Amos & Sarah (Morse) Sawyer, of Methuen, Mass. He died at Winchester ,Mass on April 7,1885; his widow died in Dunbarton NH April 19,1910.