Arthur Ray McNeil, MD:

Arthur Ray McNeil, MD, a representative member of his profession in Jefferson County, was born there, in Eldred Township, May 12, 1879, son of Francis Harbison and Anne Eliza (Gayley) McNeil. His father was born in Indiana County, Pa., Oct. 20, 1827, and his mother in the city of Philadelphia, Aug. 20, 1837, she having been sixteen years of age when she accompanied her father and brothers to Jefferson County, the family home being established in Eldred Township.

Elizabeth (Thornton), mother of Mrs. Anne Eliza McNeil, died in Philadelphia; she was a lineal descendant of Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. James Gayley, father of Mrs. McNeil, passed the closing years of his life in Jefferson County. In her native city Mrs. McNeil received excellent educational advantages, and after coming to Jefferson County she became a successful and popular teacher in the schools of Eldred Township. Francis H. McNeil passed the period of his childhood and youth in his native county and there gained his early education in the common schools of the period. He was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sigel, Jefferson County, and he was one of the honored pioneers of the county at the time of his death. He was actively concerned with lumbering operations in this section of the state in the early days, and it is interesting to note that he assisted in felling timber on the site of the present borough of Brookville. He became one of the substantial farmers and influential citizens of Eldred Township, served as supervisor and school director, and commanded the unqualified confidence and goodwill of all who knew him.

Of his children the eldest is Sarah Esther, who was at one time a popular teacher in the schools of Jefferson County, and who, as a trained nurse, is now engaged in the work of her chosen calling in the city of New York; Nancy Jane is a resident of San Francisco, Cal., where she established her home about the year 1882; James Gayley, who married Margaret Bailey, is engaged in mining at Knox Dale, Jefferson County; William Harbison is a representative farmer of Snyder Township (he married Zaidee Ferman); Robert Donaldson wedded Clara Stahlman, and they reside at Brookville, this county; Harry Thornton, who is a railway engineer, resides at Barnes, Warren County, and is married to Mildred Young; Thomas Leon married Laura Buzzard, and they reside on their well improved farm in Eldred Township; Dr. A. Ray is the youngest of the family.

William McNeil, grandfather of Dr. McNeil, was born in the vicinity of Elder’s Ridge, Indiana County, this state, and was a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of that county. As previously intimated, he became a pioneer in the vicinity of the present village of Sigel, Jefferson County, where he made a clearing, built a log house and instituted the development of a farm in the midst of the forest. He finally returned to Indiana County, and two of his sons, Francis H. and James, assumed charge of the embryonic farm. In the little log house erected by this sterling pioneer was held the first communion service of the little congregation which later established the Mount Tabor Presbyterian Church. William McNeil passed his closing years on his farm in Indiana County and was advanced in age at the time of his death. He was thrice married. His first wife, Sarah Harbison, bore him three children, James, Francis H. and Nancy Jane. His second wife, whose family name was Elder, bore him two sons, Thomas and John. His third marriage was to Elizabeth Gayley; no children were born of this union.

Arthur Ray McNeil acquired his early education in the public schools of Eldred Township, and at the age of eighteen years had completed the curriculum of the Sigel Normal Academy. He devoted three years to teaching in the schools of Jefferson and Elk Counties, one year in his native township, one in Spring Creek Township, Elk County, and one in the borough schools of Punxsutawney. After a successful experience in the pedagogic profession he followed the course of his ambitious purpose and began the work of preparing himself for the exacting profession to which he now gives his attention and in which his success has been the most effective voucher for his ability and earnest application. He first studied under the effective preceptorship of Dr. J. A. Newcomb, of Sigel, and later continued his technical studies in Grove City College. Finally he went to the city of Philadelphia, where he was matriculated in the Medico-Chirurgical College, now affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, and in this admirable institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1905.

After receiving his degree of doctor of medicine he established his residence at Coal Glen, engaging successfully in general practice and also as official surgeon for the Jefferson Coal Company. He is now established in Brookville. With characteristic energy and appreciation, Dr. McNeil keeps himself in close touch with the advances made in medical and surgical science through recourse to the best standard and periodical literature of his profession, and also through active affiliation with the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the Jefferson County Medical Society. Of stanch Scotch-Irish ancestry, the Doctor was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, which he served as elder. The Doctor was affiliated with the Republican party until 1912, when he cast his lot with the newly organized Progressive party, but the national campaign of 1916 found him again a supporter of the Republican candidates for the presidency and vice presidency of the United States.

At Brookville, Oct. 6, 1910, Dr. McNeil married Emma J. Eisenman, daughter of Ambrose Eisenman, and the one child of this union, Francis Harbison, born Sept. 6, 1913, was named in honor of his paternal grandfather. 

Transcribed by Steven A. Stahlman from “Jefferson County, Pennsylvania – Her Pioneers and People”, Volume II, by Dr. William James McKnight, published in 1917 by the J. H. Beers & Company, Chicago, Ill. Page 389.