Henry Reel Neff

Col. Henry R. Neff, farmer, P. O. Louisville, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 31, 1812, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Reel) Neff, natives of Virginia, who were both brought to Ohio when quite small. Henry R. went into a saw and flouring mill when fifteen years old, in Putnam County, Ind., his parents having located there in 1826. He followed this business for seven years, when he returned to the farm.

He came to Clay County in 1848, and lived one year in Blair Township. He then located near Louisville, and engaged in the mercantile business for several years. He also engaged in the milling business here a few years. He entered his present farm in 1849, but did not locate upon it until 1873.

He was married, September 26, 1803, to Mary A. Monical, daughter of George Monical (deceased). They had fourteen children, viz : John, killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, while fighting for his country during the rebellion, and a member of the Fifty-first Illinois Regiment Volunteer Infantry; Hannah; Simeon, killed at Columbia, S. C, also while in defense of his country (he was Lieutenant of Company B, Forty-eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry); Adam, who was also a soldier for the Union during the late war (he died January 23, 1873); Elizabeth, George, Mary, Martha, Henry C. (deceased), Benjamin, Sarah, David, Christopher and Peter. Mrs. Neff died January 4, 1873.

Mr. Neff was Sheriff of Clay County from 1855 to 1857, and has also held the offices of Supervisor, School Trustee and Collector for several years. In religious views, he is a Cumberland Presbyterian. At one time he was Colonel of a militia regiment, hence his title.

(Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884)