Wiley O’Neal

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Wiley O’Neal, farmer, was born in 1820, in North Carolina, and is the son of Samuel and Esther (Price) O’Neal, who were also born in North Carolina, dying there in 1839. He was a farmer by occupation. They had several children, but only one survives this union-the subject of this sketch, Wiley, who remained with his parents until their death. Having received a poor education, he started out in this world with a hard road to lead. He worked at farm work by day until 1841, when he married Miss S. Perry, but she did not survive her married life long, dying without issue, Mr. O’Neal married his second wife in 1849, a Miss Elvira Allen, and had eight children, seven living, viz: Elvira (married to Richard Lloyd), Wiley M. (married to Luster Bowles), William T. (married to Merniva Rainey), Sarah C. (married to Henry Perkins), Caroline (married to Newton Stokley), James S. and James C. Mr. O’Neal moved to the State of Missouri in 1855, and settled in the far west, in Jasper County, but not liking his location, he came to Iron County, and purchased his present home, about two miles northeast of Des Arc, containing about 250 acres of valuable land, with some 100 acres cleared and in fine cultivation. Mr. O’Neal has, upon his children becoming of age, deeded them part of the homestead, leaving him 160 acres. Himself and family are members of the Baptist Church, and he is also a member of the Farmers’ Alliance.

 

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