JOHN J. McNEILL, Cleveland, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch, John J. McNeill, was born in London, England, on October 4, 1864, his parents emigrating to New York when he was 8 years of age. Mr. McNeill acquired a good common school education and then secured a situation as bookkeeper, in which capacity he worked two years. His next place was with a clothing firm, being compelled to give that up on account of poor health. In January, 1886, he secured a position as fireman on the Erie, and after firing three years was promoted to engineer, and since that time, September, 1890, has run an engine in the Cleveland yard.

Mr. McNeill was married January 15, 1887, to Miss Clara B. Ackert of Cincinnati, and they have three children, two sons and one daughter. Mr. McNeill is a member of Lodge 167, B. of L. E.; Bigelow Lodge No. 243, F. & A. M., and was chairman of the Board of Adjustment when affiliated with the B. of L. F.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the April, 1905 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Mr. J.J. McNeill was called to New York and to his great surprise he was assigned to run the President's Special Train from New York to Cincinnati. I understood this run was to be made only in day time, so as to give the party a chance to inspect the road. As Mr. McNeill is among the youngest of our Engineers he doubtless appreciates the honor the General Manager bestowed on him. The Mahoning Division all joins in hoping he will make a successful trip.

From the February, 1908 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine (Cleveland News):
Engineer J.J. McNeil has been confined to his home for several days with a slight attack of the grippe. Here's hoping he will get around all right very soon to look after our welfare in the Pension Association, in which everyone is deeply interested at the present time. The pension fund has got a firm hold in every department at this shop and everybody is anxious to hear the results. There is more interest taken in it now than ever before.

From the January, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
J.J. McNeill, who was employed as Supervisor of Locomotive Operations for the Mahoning Division, was promoted to Road Foreman of Engines for the Division.

From the February, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine (Brier Hill News):
Mr. D.J. Madden, formerly of Chicago and Trainmaster at that point, has recently been appointed Supervisor of Locomotive Operation. This position was, heretofore, occupied by J.J. McNeil, who is now Road Foreman of Engines. While we regret the loss of Mr. McNeil, whose kindly ways won him many friends, we feel sure that Mr. Madden will also be appreciated. Mr. Madden is now making Brier Hill his headquarters.

From the November, 1922 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
J.J. McNeil is appointed Supervisor of Locomotive Operation, with headquarters at Cleveland.

From the March, 1925 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
All are glad to hear that Mrs. J.J. McNeill, wife of Supervisor of Locomotive Operations J.J. McNeill, is on the road to recovery after a serious operation. Mr. and Mrs. McNeill are spending their vacation in California.

From the February, 1926 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
J.J. McNeil, supervisor of locomotive operations (Cleveland Shops) has returned from a vacation in California with his family.

From the March, 1936 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
J.J. McNeil, Mahoning Division road foreman of engines of Cleveland, was placed on the special allowance payroll and retired at age 71 after 49 years and eleven months of service.

Tribute from George Frederick Dietzel, roundhouse foreman, E. 55th Street Roundhouse, Cleveland:
"To Mr. A Sutherby, Master Mechanic, December 30, 1935: Herewith tribute to your former Road Foreman of Engines, J.J. McNeill:

John McNeill is a merry merry soul,
Whose chief ambition is the saving of coal.
He finds it a pleasure to be at his work,
And day after day nothing did shirk.
He worked for the Erie 50 years or more,
And all through this no man did he bore.
He's know as a man who's a diplomat,
But never sidestepped any kind of a spat.
He worked with the boys through all these years,
And many's the time he allayed their fears.
The boys in the shop as well as the road,
All say he done well to lighten the load."

Poem courtesy of Sarah Lynne

From the January, 1945 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
John J. McNeill, 80, former Mahoning Division road foreman of engines, died Nov. 7 (1944) in a Cleveland hospital from injuries received in an automobile accident four days previously.

Entering service as a locomotive fireman Jan. 2, 1886, he was promoted to engineer Jan. 9, 1890 and later held the positions of locomotive operation and road foreman until his retirement Jan. 1, 1936.

In 1905, President F.D. Underwood chose him to take charge of engine 478 which pulled a train on a business trip Mr. Underwood took through the South and Middle West.

Mr. McNeil took an active part in the railroads' smoke abatement program and was the chairman of the steam Railroad Smoke Abatement Committee, comprised of road foremen from the railroads in Cleveland who meet and cooperate with members of the City's smoke committee.

He was a member of Bigelow Lodge 243, F&AM, and is survived by two sons and a daughter, in California.