Hood County Texas Genealogical Society

HARRISON L. NEELY

1843 - 1913

From History of Central and Western Texas

Published in 1911

Harrison L. Neely, city assessor and collector, Granbury, Texas, was born in Warrick county, Indiana, July 22, 1843, and on the paternal side is descended from staunch New England ancestry. His grandfather, Joseph Neely, and his father, Greenleaf Neely, were both natives of New England, the latter born in Montpelier, Vermont, in April, 1812. Mr. Neely's mother was a Tennesseean [sic]. He was the fifth born in a family of seven children, namely:

 Mrs. Samuel Overall;

Rev. Matthew H. [Neely], a Methodist minister;

 Mrs. D. Merchant;

 Randolph R. [Neely], deceased;

 Harrison L. [Neely];

 Reuben M. [Neely], deceased; and

 Mrs. George Smith, deceased.

In 1849 the Neelys moved from Indiana to Texas and established their home on a farm in Hopkins county, where the father was engaged in farming and stock raising the rest of his life. He died on November 26, 1875. All of the sons allied themselves with the southern cause and served in the Confederate army during the war, and Randolph died in the army, in Mississippi. Harrison L. enlisted in June, 1861, in Company D, Eleventh Texas Cavalry, and later was in Company G, Eleventh Texas Infantry, Randall's Brigade, Walker's Division, the fortunes of which he shared until the close of hostilities, when he was discharged and returned home.

On September 14, 1864, Harrison L. Neely married Miss Algeronina L. Maxwell, who was born in Weakley county, Tennessee, January 24, 1844, daughter of Calvin and Amanda (Fleming) Maxwell, natives of Tennessee. Her grandfather, Doctor Maxwell, was one of the pioneer settlers of that state.

Mr. and Mrs. Neely have had ten children, seven of whom are living, as follows:

 Randolph [Neely], born June 20, 1865, died December 15, 1887;

 Lucy [Neely], born March 1866, became the wife of Samuel Goodson, and died July 24, 1885, leaving one son, Wylie Goodson;

 Monroe [Neely], born February 22, 1866 [sic], married Miss Bessie Mullins;

 Olivia [Neely], born March 8, 1870, married E.L. Cooper of Hugo, Oklahoma;

 Mary [Neely], born April 27, 1872, is the widow of James Dyer of Lyndale, Smith county, Texas;

 Greenleaf S. [Neely], born December 29, 1875, married Miss Sue Dyer, and lives at Amarillo, Texas;

 Mattie Lora [Neely], born August 7, 1879, married William W. Hudson of Hyko [sic] [should be Hico], Texas;

 Freddie [Neely], born August 29, 1881, died February 8, 1882;

 Lawrence L. [Neely], born March 12, 1885, is a resident of Amarillo, Texas; and

 Rosalee [Neely], born April 16, 1887, married James Howard of Granbury.

Mr. Neely was engaged in farming in Hopkins county until 1891, when he moved to Granbury and opened a market, which he conducted until 1897. That year he was elected city assessor and collector, which office he has since filled.

Fraternally, Mr. Neely is identified with several organizations. He is past commander of Granbury Camp, No. 67, U.C.V., and has membership in both the A.F. and A.M. and the I.O.O.F. of Granbury, being tyler [sic] [should be tiler] of the former and treasurer of the latter. Politically he is a Democrat, and his religious creed is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

~ Web Page by Virginia Hale ~

2001 HOOD COUNTY TEXAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY