Samuel Wallace O'Neal

From the Bloomington Illinois Pantagraph (Thursday, December 8th, 1938): Uncle Sam still active, cheerful at 86

LEROY-Samuel Wallace O'Neal of Gibson City, father of Mrs. Charlie Brittin of LeRoy, celebrated his 86th birthday anniversary at his home Sunday. He will be remembered by many old friends in and around LeRoy, where he lived on a farm northeast of LeRoy for 50 years. In 1907 he moved to a farm east of Gibson City and from there to his present home in Carson City. 

He came with his parents from Ohio when about four years of age. They made the trip in a covered wagon, crossing the river on an old fashioned ferry, allowing the horse to swim the river. His parents settled on a farm east of LeRoy. 

Plays Violin 

Mr. O'Neal is one of a family of 12 children, six boys and six girls. When he grew to manhood he married and became the father of 11 children, nine of whom are living to help him celebrate his birthday. He is still cheerful as of old and loves to play the violin for friends and family, and looks much younger than his age. He still enjoys walking up town, a distance of eight blocks and talking about old times. When Mr. O'Neal was a young man he helped as a teamster to build the Lake Erie Railroad now called the Nickle Plate, between Ellsworth and Arrowsmith. 

Hobby Gardening 

He is able to recall many odd incidents of those times. His hobby is gardening, but just start up an old tune and you will see Uncle Sam, as he is more familiarly known, come to life with a merry jig. It's a pleasant thing to see a man reach the age of 86, still scattering sunshine and cheer. Perhaps that is the secret of keeping young.

Obituary from the Gibson City Courier:

Samuel O'Neal, one of Gibson City's honored octogenarians died on Tuesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Crowe (Alma Leona Oneal) at the ripe age of 86 years, 4 months and 19 days. His death was due to the infirmities of old age. Funeral services will be held at two o'clock this afternoon at the United Brethren church, in charge of the pastor, Rev. H. E. Longbrake. Interment will be in the Gibson cemetery. 

Samuel W. O'Neal was born Dec. 4, 1853 in Ross county, Ohio. When four years old he came with his parents to Illinois, making the journey overland in a covered wagon, and settling in McLean County. In 1875 he was married to Lillian M. Isgrigg, who preceded him in death in the year of 1923. 

To their union were born eleven children: Lee of Paxton, Lulu Coffey of Bloomington, Bessie Brittin of Leroy, Wayne, Lawrence, Lester, Ivor, Viola Parker and Alma Crow of Gibson City; two sons dying in infancy. There are also 30 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. O'Neal was of a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls, of whom there are five surviving; William, Daniel and Mannie Coite of Saybrook, Henry of LeRoy and Ella Brittin of Humeston, Iowa. 

The early part of his life was spent in the vicinity of Leroy and Ellsworth, moving to Ford county, near Gibson City, in 1907. In 1908 he joined the United Brethren church at Elliott. Mr. O'Neal was a loving father and enjoyed having his family around him at all times. He loved the Lord and never failed to call each of his children by name and ask the blessing of the Lord upon them in his morning prayer.* Reference: [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74047280/samuel-wallace-o'neal Find A Grave Memorial] - [https://www.geni.com/projects/SmartCopy/18783 SmartCopy]: ''Aug 4 2021, 1:53:57 UTC''