Matthew James
“M.J.” McNeill
8th Pastor
at Herrin FBC
1887-1888
Early Family Life:
Rev. McNeill was born in Williamson County, Illinois, in 1852. He was
one of nine children born to John Alexander and Weltha Jane (Walker)
McNeill. When M.J. was 10 years old, his brother George (then 17 years
old) joined the Union Army and fought in the Civil War. Later, George
went on to be a co-founder of the town of Carterville.
Married Life:
At age 21, in 1873, M.J. married Susan Pauline Keaster. They had three
known children (one died in infancy). Susan is listed in the 1880 census
as being “sick with dropsy”. Dropsy is an old term for fluid retention.
Sadly, Susan passed away 10 days after the census was taken. Earlier
that year, Susan’s sister Celinda had become a widow. In December
1880, M.J. and Celinda were married. They had three known children.
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| three of the McNeill children |
Occupations on the Census:
1870 - Farm Laborer
1880 - Farmer
1900 - Farmer
1910 - Mail Carrier
1920 - Minister
His parents:
Father John Alexander McNeill was born in 1823, North Carolina.
His parents moved the family to Robertson County, Tennessee in 1838
and spent about one year there. In 1839 or 1840, they left Tennessee and
arrived in Williamson County, Illinois. They settled in the Cambria/
Carterville area. He joined the Hurricane Church in1843 and remained
a member there until his death in 1892. Another former Herrin FBC
pastor (John A. Rodman) wrote his funeral notice and preached at his
funeral, held at the Hurricane Church.
Mother Weltha (or Wealthy) Walker was born in 1824, Tennessee.
Her parents moved the family in an ox drawn wagon to Williamson
County, Illinois, in 1834. They purchased land along Hurricane Creek.
She married John McNeill in 1844, and remained in Williamson County
until her death in 1905.
His grandparents:
Mathew and Hester (Moore) Walker… They moved from TN
to Williamson Co IL in 1834, and in July 1837, the Hurricane
Church was organized in their home. He was a farmer,
originally from North Carolina. He may have been a Veteran of
the War of 1812… There is one Matthew Walker in a NC
Regiment, but we don’t know if it’s the same person.
Malcolm and Christiana (Northington) McNeill… They moved
from TN to Williamson Co IL in 1839. A family story about
Malcolm, is that he stood about 5’4” and always wore a top
hat. He had a “fiery disposition”, and would stand out in the
road in front of his home and dare anyone who came down the
road to engage in a fist fight. Malcolm was a gunsmith, and
originally from North Carolina.
Burial:
Rev. McNeill, his wives, parents, and dozens of relatives are
all buried in the old Hurricane Church Cemetery.
Other churches (that we know of):
1877 – Delivered his first sermon at Pigeon Creek Baptist, Williamson
county IL
1885 – Pastor of Lake Creek Baptist Church, Williamson County IL
1889 – Organized the first Sunday School at Williams Prairie Baptist
Church, Williamson County IL; Organized the Union Baptist Church
(which later became the Johnston City FBC)
1904 – Elected Moderator of the Williamson Baptist Association
1907 – Helped organize the Grand Tower Baptist Church
Fun tidbit:
David Harrison (the first church clerk of what became Herrin FBC) married Julia Walker (a sister of Rev. McNeill’s mother). David and Julia had a son, George Harrison… George had a daughter, Julia Harrison. Julia married Carl Bruce… becoming our very own Julia Harrison Bruce. This makes Julia and Rev. McNeill… first cousins, once removed! Think about them the next time you go into the Harrison Room!
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| Harrison Room at Herrin FBC, 2024 |
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