The sturdy pioneer, capable gentleman and patriotic citizen whose, name heads this article is one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of his section of Malheur County, being a man who has wrought with great energy and commendable wisdom in his efforts to assist in the up building and advancement of this section of the country. Our subject was born in the County of Antrim, Ulster province, Ireland, on May 10, 1846, being the son of John and Elizabeth O’Neill. He was reared on a farm and remained in his native place until 1866, when he went to Scotland, and four years later was in Liverpool, whence on September 23, 1870, he embarked on the “Harvest Queen.” a sailing vessel bound for the United States. After a very rough trip of thirty-eight days he landed in New York, thence to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and one year later went to San Francisco. In Sonoma County, at Visalia, and in Mendocino County, in that state, he labored in the lumber business. In San Francisco, on December 18, 1875, Mr. O’Neill married Mary Mullary, and in 1881 they came to Portland. “thence they journeyed by team to lower Willow creek in Malheur County and located a quarter section, taking up the stock business. Three children were horn to this marriage, Mrs. Annie Zahlor, Mrs. Mary Loran and Francis P. In 1882, very soon after landing in Malheur County, Mrs. O’Neill was called away by death.
Mr. O’Neill contracted a second marriage, the date being October 12, 1886, and the lady Mrs. Anna Jackson, who had by her former husband three children. Frank O., Mrs. Mary B. Madden and George W. To this second marriage there have been born two children, Mable E. and Ellsie M. Mrs. O’Neill came across the plains with her husband, Stephen Jackson, and three children from the stale of Wisconsin in 1882. They located where Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill now live, fifteen miles west from Vale, on the Burns and Ontario stage line, at what is known as the Hot Springs stage station. Mr. Jackson was murdered there, an account of which occurs elsewhere in the volume.
Our subject owns his ranch on lower Willow creek, and they own another quarter near where they live, in addition to the family home. They are worthy and capable citizens and are secure in the esteem and favor of their fellows, being upright and possessed of integrity.
