William Mitchell Cox Neel's Obituary
In Memoriam

Departed this life at the home of his son-in-law, H. M. Fulgham, in Jackson Co., , at ten minutes past two o'clock, on the morning of August 28th, 1899, William M. C. Neel, aged 89 years, 9 months and 3 days, being the oldest and the last to die of a family of sixteen children.

The subject of this sketch, the son of Daniel O and Sarah Neel, was born in Laurens County, Georgia, Nov. 25th, 1809, moved with his parents to what was then Early, now Decatur County, Georgia, during the month of February in the year 1822, and settled eight miles below what was then known as Fort Hughes, now Bainbridge, Georgia, where he resided until he attained his majority.

December 18th 1882, he was united in marriage to Mary P. Willis from which union there were five children, two of whom survive him. Moved to Jackson County, Florida, July 11th 1835 and settled near Neel's landing and engaged in farming. Some years later he moved and established a merchantile business. He was also engaged in the milling business. In the year 1845, he was elected as one of the representatives from Jackson County and became one of the members of the first state Legislature of Florida, being re-elected in 1845 and again in 1848. In religious belief he was a Primitive Baptist, in political faith a Henry Clay whig, at whose shrine he was a devout worshipper and in company with a friend, visited Columbus, Georgia where he met and heard that great whig leader during the presidential campaign of 1844.

In the autumn of 1855, he was elected as one of the representatives from Jackson County in the first legislative body after the late civil war; his colleagues being J. M. F. Erwin, Henry Robinson and L. O. Armistend, with Thomas M. White as State Senator all of whom proceeded him to the grave. Upon the organization of the Republican party in this State in the year 1808 he was nominated by a convention of fellow citizens as the Democratic candidate for the State Senate, but after an active campaign was in the election that followed with the remainder of the ticket defeated.

After the death of his wife, April 1862, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Harriet E. Belsher from which union there were two daughters and a son all of whom survive. He continued his residence at his old home near Neel's Landing after the death of his second wife in July 1897, until December 1898, when his children thinking it best he decided to spend his remaining days with them.

For more than two years past he had been quite feeble and at several time it was thought the end was near, but for some wise purpose his life was spared- the brittle thread of life was gently lengthened out until he quietly fell asleep as we trust in Christ. In his declining years he had every attention paid to him that human agency could devise: nothing left undone that would have added to his ease and comfort. His children, sons-in-law and kindred were extremely kind- his eldest daughter was a constant attendant, remaining with him to the end, kindly administering to his every need, doing everything for his comfort. In all these trying scenes not a murmur escaped him but bore his afflictions with Christian fortitude. Though having never put on Christ by an open profession of faith, yet he expressed himself as being prepared for death, patiently and calmly awaiting the summons. As a husband and father he was kind, and indulgent- as a friend, firm and steadfast. In the presence of relatives and a large gathering of friends his remains were gently and lovingly laid to rest- the last rites which were solemn and impressive being conducted by Rev. Daniel Cranmer who gave words of comfort and consolation to his sorrowing children, relatives, and friends.