James O'Neill (Wisconsin settler)
Encyclopedia
James O'Neill was a Wisconsin settler, jurist, and sawmill owner.
He was born in Lisbon, New York
and worked in lumber in Canada
and New York
. He also worked on riverboats on the Mississippi River
.
The community of Neillsville
was named in his honor, as was O'Neill Creek, which runs through the center of the city and drains into the Black River. He arrived in the area around 1845, looking for a location to build a sawmill along the Black River.
In 1854, O’Neill’s Mill, (as Neillsville was originally called), was selected as the county seat of Clark County.
He was also an attorney. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly
in 1849 and 1868. He was a partner of the law firm O'Neill and Marsh, along with State Senator
Spencer M. Marsh
, until O'Neill became a Circuit Judge in 1898.
He was born in Lisbon, New York
Lisbon, New York
Lisbon is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 4,047 at the 2000 census.By some accounts, the town is named after the capital of Portugal. However, the 1810 US Census for the town shows the town's name as Lisburn, which is a city located in Northern Ireland...
and worked in lumber in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He also worked on riverboats on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
The community of Neillsville
Neillsville, Wisconsin
Neillsville is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,731 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat.-Geography:Neillsville is located at ....
was named in his honor, as was O'Neill Creek, which runs through the center of the city and drains into the Black River. He arrived in the area around 1845, looking for a location to build a sawmill along the Black River.
In 1854, O’Neill’s Mill, (as Neillsville was originally called), was selected as the county seat of Clark County.
He was also an attorney. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
in 1849 and 1868. He was a partner of the law firm O'Neill and Marsh, along with State Senator
State Senator
A state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
Spencer M. Marsh
Spencer M. Marsh
Spencer M. Marsh, , was a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 25th District. He was elected in 1906, receiving 9,507 votes against 7,478 votes for rival William Fehlandt....
, until O'Neill became a Circuit Judge in 1898.