Edward Asbury O'Neal, governor of Alabama, was born in Madison county, Ala., Sept. 20, 1818; son of Edward and Rebecca (Wheat) O'Neal. His parents, both natives of South Carolina, were of Irish and Huguenot ancestry. His father died when he was but four years old. He was graduated at La Grange college, Ala., and studied law in the office of James W. McClung. He was married, April 12, 1838, to Olivia, daughter of Dr. Alfred and Eliza (Jones) Moore of Alabama. He was admitted to the bar in 1840; settled in practice in Florence, Ala.; was solicitor of the state, 1841-45, and an unsuccessful candidate for representative in the 31st congress in 1848. He enlisted a company for the 9th Alabama regiment, of which he was commissioned major in 1861 and lieutenant-colonel the same year. He was promoted colonel and transferred to the 26th Alabama regiment in March, 1862, and commanded the regiment in Rains's brigade, D. H. Hill's division, Longstreet's right wing of the Confederate army, in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Seven Fines, being severely wounded at the latter. He commanded Rodes's brigade, D. H. Hill's division, in the Maryland campaign until relieved to resume command of his regiment, two days before the battle of Boonsboro, when he was again severely wounded. He returned to the army in the winter of 1863 and succeeded to the command of Rodes's brigade when that officer took charge of the division in the battle of Chancellorsville, and was wounded while leading the brigade. At the battle of Gettysburg he commanded the brigade during the entire three days' fight and on the retreat in Virginia, and resumed the command of his regiment in the battle of Mine Run, May 5, 1864. His regiment was then sent to Alabama to recruit, and his next service was in northern Georgia, where he was assigned to Cantey's brigade, Walthall's division, Polk's corps, Army of the Mississippi, and succeeded Gen. James C. Cantey in the command of the brigade, when that officer took command of the division, being relieved soon after Gen. John B. Hood assumed command of the army. He was on detached service till the close of the war; was promoted brigadier-general, but the interruption of mail communication with Richmond prevented his receiving the commission, and he was mustered out as colonel, and resumed the practice of his profession in 1865. He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1875, and chairman of the committee on education; a presidential elector on the Hancock and English ticket in 1880, and governor of Alabama for two terms, 1882-86. He died in Florence, Ala., Nov. 7, 1890.

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans 1904

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