James A. MacNeill

MACNEILL, JAMES A., blacksmith and trader; b. 22 July 1854 in Travellers Rest, son of Malcolm MacNeill and Isabel McDonald; m. 4 August 1881 Sarah E., and they had eight children, Gertrude, Leonard*, Daniel Francis*, Willard, Pearl, Ella Mae, Ronald James, and Dunstan Joseph; Roman Catholic; d. 28 January 1927. MacNeill, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1908 for 5th Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1912, 1915, 1919, and 1923. He was defeated in the general elections of 1900, 1904, and 1927. On 10 December 1910, he was appointed as Commissioner of Public Works in the Mathieson* Administration. Two of MacNeill's sons served in the Legislative Assembly. Leonard* was elected in the general election of 1931 for 5,h Prince and Daniel* was elected in the general election of 1944 for the same riding. Two of MacNeill's grandsons served in the Legislative Assembly. Francis "Peg"* was elected in 1946 for 5th Prince, and Hubert* was elected for the same riding in the 1959 general election, and again in 1962. Prior to his career in provincial politics, MacNeill served for a number of years on the Summerside Town Council and was Mayor from 1901 to 1904. He was Chair of the Water Commission from 1906 to 1907 and Chief of the Fire Department from 1912 to 1916. MacNeill was educated at the village school in Travellers Rest. He was associated with John Harrington in the blacksmithing business under the name Harrington and MacNeill. The firm did a great deal of work on ships built in the Summerside area. He also served as the president of the Exhibition and Park Association. James MacNeill died 28 January 1927. Sarah MacNeill was born 5 October 1855 and died 28 July 1954.