My Genealogy Hound

MATTHEW J. McNEELY was born August 20, 1855, in Graves County, Ky. His parents were James and Caroline (Yates) McNeely, both natives of Tennessee. The father was a merchant, came to Kentucky and settled about eight miles southeast of Wingo, in 1833, where he followed farming for many years. He died September 19, 1877. He was a member of the Baptist Church; his widow is still living in this county at the age of sixty years. She also is a member of the Baptist Church. They had ten children, six of whom are now living: Nancy P., the wife of William Adams, of this county; Mary, the wife of A. G. Coltharp, of this county, James W., married to Miss Charlton, of Wingo; Serena, the wife of P. H. Wadlington, of this county; Matthew J. and David S.; the latter is clerking with his brother, whose name heads this sketch. Matthew J. began for himself in the mercantile business at the age of twenty-one. He also engaged at the same time in stock-raising in Missouri. He opened out a new stock of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats and caps, etc., at Wingo, in 1880. He has been very successful, his sales amounting annually from $11,000 to $18,000. His outlook is very encouraging, and he bids fair to become one of the leading merchants and business men of the county.