New Plymouth Sentinel
Thursday, May 21, 1914
OLD PIONEER PASSES AWAY
Has Lived in the Payette Valley Since 1874
John Neal, one of the oldest and most respected pioneers of the Payette valley died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jessie Williams at Fruitland, on Sunday morning May the 17th, 1914 at the age of 78 years, 4 months, and 22 days, and the funeral services were held at Fruitland on Tuesday morning conducted by his pastor, P. Montee Smock who was assisted by the Rev. J. J. Ticknor of the Baptist Church of Fruitland. Internment was in the Kennedy cemetery, by the side of his wife who was buried just two years to the day, before the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Neal was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Christmas day, 1835, and resided in that state until he was 29 years old. There he married to Martha Langley, with whom he lived for nearly half a century. This union resulted in the birth of seven children who survive -- two sons and five daughters as follows: Isaac Neal of Emmett, John Neal of New Plymouth, Martha M. Richey of Cambridge, Emma Youtsler of Nyssa, Oregon, Hattie Clement of Notus, Jessie Williams of Fruitland and B??? Branham of New Plymouth. There is also a step-son, William O. Langley of Auburn, Washington who survive. Deceased was a member of the I.O.O.F.Lodge and was senior deacon in the Baptist church of this place. His heart and soul had been in the church of his choice for over forty years as he united with that denomination in 187?.
He came to Idaho and spent the winter of 1873 in the Boise valley and in 1874 came to the Payette valley where he resided continuously for forty years.
Mr. Neal was a good man, his character beyond reproach, his religious convictions were always positive, and everyone who knew him will learned to call him friend. His loved ones have the sympathy of all, and the community mourns the passing of one of the noble men of this generation.