Corbin Asahel McNeill, brother of Edwin V. McNeill, was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, January 13, 1867, in a log cabin. He received his public school education in Cherokee County, Kansas, following which he attended the State Normal School, at Fort Scott, and became a telegraph operator, a vocation which he followed for a short time. Mr. McNeill read law in the offices of Ritter & Wiswell, attorneys at Columbus, and was admitted to the bar in 1892, and two years later had so favorably impressed himself upon the people that he was elected county attorney, an office in which he served one term. He also served one term as a member of the State Board of Charities, under the administration of Governor W. J. Bailey. Mr. McNeill has had a general civil and criminal practice, and has one of the largest clienteles in this part of the state. He was appointed by Governor Hoch as judge of the District Court, to fill out an unexpired term, and was subsequently elected to that office in 1906 and served four years more. Judge McNeill is a republican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with St. Paul (Kansas) Council, Knights of Columbus; Galena Lodge No. 677, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Galena Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and the Loyal Order of Moose, Modern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Knights and Ladies of Security, of Columbus. He also holds membership in the Commercial Club. He and the members of his family belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and reside in their modern home at No. 401 South Florida Avenue.
In 1889 Judge McNeill was married to Miss Edna Macy, who died in 1902, leaving one son: Maurice, a graduate of the Cherokee County High School, who read law with his father and is now an attorney of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1904, in Cherokee County, C. A. McNeill was married to Miss Agnes Fleming, daughter of Michael and Fannie Fleming, farming people who are both now deceased. Mrs. McNeill died in 1907, at Columbus, leaving one daughter: Helen, born July 4, 1906. In June, 1910, Mr. McNeill was again married, being united with Miss Clara Schlafy, of Carlyle, Illinois. They have three children: Fred, born February 2, 1911; Zale, born July 7, 1912; and David, born September 27, 1913.