Neil, John

Neil, John a Presbyterian minister, was born in 1804 in Antrim County, Ireland. His parents, emigrating to the United States, settled upon a farm in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was early taught the great truths of the Bible, and the way of salvation according to the faith and practice of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He was educated at Washington College, Washington, Pennsylvania; studied theology at the Associate Reformed Seminary at Alleghany City, Pennsylvania; was licensed in 1836, and in 1838 was ordained pastor of the three congregations of Mount Jackson, Centre, and Mahoning, Pennsylvania. In 1849, after laboring earnestly and faithfully for eleven years, he was released from Mahoning congregation; in 1857, on account of failing health, he also resigned Centre congregation, continuing thereafter his labors with the Mount Jackson congregation until 1860, when he became unable to preach and retired from the ministry. He died in 1861. Mr. Neil was a close student of the Scriptures. As a preacher he was more instructive than attractive. He always endeavored to make thorough pulpit preparation, and often wrote his sermons a second time before delivery. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1863, page 361.