To this industrious and intelligent stockman and agriculturist of Wallowa county we are constrained to grant representation in this volume of its annals, since he is one of the substantial citizens, has ever wrought with energy, faithfulness and sagacity, displaying meanwhile good ability and unswerving integrity and stanch personal qualities of worth and uprightness.
William was born in Wapello county, Iowa, in 1854, being the son of Edward and Margaret (McGuire) Neville. The parents came to Oregon in an early day, bringing their son with them, and settled on a farm five miles south of Summerville, there giving attention to producing the fruit of the soil and developing the resources of the county as occasion afforded in their business. Our subject remained on the old farm until 1898, when he came to Wallowa County and settled on Diamond Prairie, acquiring title to one-half section of land on Bear creek, two miles southwest from Wallowa. He devotes most of his time to raising stock and has gained a good success in that enterprise. He manifests skill and a good understanding of the business that he is following while energy and untiring care of detail, together with an aggressive policy in the manipulation of his property, have placed Mr. Neville among the leading stock growers of the co9unty, and prosperity has been constantly in attendance upon him.
Mr. Neville married Miss Effie Richards, a native of West Virginia, in 1891, and they have become the parents of the following children: Effie, Pearl, and Willva. Mr. Neville holds an enviable position in the esteem of his fellows and his uprightness and intrinsic worth have commanded the respect of all, and he is a valuable addition to the population of the county.