GEORGE W. NEIKIRK
Page 487

GEORGE W. NEIKIRK. Within the limits of Mason County there are few farms more valuable than the one upon which Mr. Neikirk makes his home. This consists of two hundred acres of well improved land lying in Forest City Township, upon which have been placed all the improvements of a first-class estate. The residence, which was erected in 1892, at a cost of about $4,500, is one of the most conveniently arranged and attractive houses in the county, as well as one of the finest. This place has been the home of Mr. Neikirk since 1875, and the improvements thereon are due entirely to his energy, skill and efficiency. Born in Clear Spring, Washington County, Md., December 12, 1839, the subject of this notice is the seventh in the family of George Neikirk. (For further references see sketch of J. Alex Neikirk, presented on another page of this volume. ) In the fall of 1840 the family moved from Maryland to Seneca County, Ohio, and thence came to Illinois in October, 1853. The father, who was a son of Michael and Catherine Neikirk, was born January 19, 1798, and on the 24th of January, 1821, married Elizabeth Bowser, who was born July 16, 1803. The father died April 23, 1855, while the mother passed away February 7, 1875. There were nine children in the family of George Neikirk, viz.: Solomon, who was born January 9, 1822, and died January 29, 1890; J. Alex, of whom mention is elsewhere made; Eli T., who was born September 6, 1828, and died March 3, 1883; William K., who was born October 27, 1830; John E., whose sketch is presented on another page; Mary Elizabeth Cheek, who was born October 29, 1836; George W.; Emma P., born August 3, 1842; Sarah Belle, born October 25, 1845, and now the wife of O. W. Van Orman, presented on another page. On the outbreak of the Civil War, our subject enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company C, Second Illinois Cavalry, and joined the regiment at Camp Butler, Ill., under Colonel Noble. On the 4th of October he was ordered to Cairo, Ill., and thence on the 10th of the same month marched to Caledonia. March 30, 1862 he was ordered to Hickman, Ky., where his regiment scouted the country. On June 7 they reached Union City, Tenn., and three days later were placed on picket duty at the Obion River. July 4 they returned to Union City, and on the 16th of August pursued the rebel Captain Buford for a distance of thirty miles to Merriweather's Ferry. During a very hard fight of a half-hour at that place forty were killed and sixteen captured, the enemy being completely routed. August 20, 1862, the regiment joined Lieutenant-Colonel Hogg at Dyersburg, and after an eight days' scout they went into camp at Jackson, Tenn. September 3 they pursued the rebel General Armstrong, arriving at Bolivar, Tenn., on the 9th, and at LaGrange, Tenn., on the 27th. October 5 they escorted General Hurlbut to the Hatchie River, and were in the engagement at Metamora, where they were highly complimented by the generals for coolness in battle. October 9 there was a skirmish with the Haywood Rangers at Woodville, and forty-five of the number were captured by the Federal troops. After having been out for four days, they returned to camp with sixty prisoners and one hundred horses. November 4 they went to La Grange, and driving the rebels from there, occupied the place. At Lamar, Miss., the Federal troops met the rebel General Jackson, whom they charged, killing eighteen of his men, wounding sixty and capturing one hundred and thirty. On the 30th of November they advanced to Holly Springs and preceded General Grant's army to Oxford, whence they were ordered back to guard Holly Springs. On the 20th of December they were attacked by the rebel General Van Dorn with six thousand men, and the battle lasted from six until eleven o'clock in the morning. When the ammunition was entirely exhausted, the troops fell back to Cold Water Station, having lost seven killed and forty-three wounded. On the 23d day of December they started in pursuit of General Van Dorn, whom they followed until the 29th, and on the following day started for Memphis, where they were placed on orderly duty until June 27, 1863. Ordered to report to Major Larrison, the company proceeded to Ft. Pillow, Tenn., July 29, 1863, and on the 1st of August reached Denmark, Tenn., where they had a skirmish with the rebel Colonel Grier, whom they routed. On the 19th of August they engaged in scouting and broke up several guerrilla bands, returning to Union City, Tenn., September 27. October 24 they went on a four days' scout, and on the 31st started on a ten days' scout. November 19 they started in pursuit of Major Street, whom they charged at Merriweather's Ferry, killing eleven of his soldiers, and capturing forty prisoners and sixty horses. December 4 they were placed on post duty at Troy, Tenn., and five days later scouted to Bend No. 14 in the Mississippi River. December 11 they captured twenty of Major Street's command, killed two and captured thirty-five horses. On the 23d of December the troops engaged in the expedition under Gen A. J. Smith to Jackson Tenn., following General Forrest for seventeen days. January 22, 1864, they joined a cavalry expedition under Col. George E. Warring, Jr., and went to Collierville, Tenn., being gone twenty days. He cavalry expedition of Gen. W. S. Smith followed on the 19th of February, the troops penetrating Mississippi and traveling as far as Aberdeen on the Tombigbee River. On the 20th of February they went back to Memphis, Tenn., after a skirmish with Forrest. There was a general engagement at Ivy Farm, Miss., on the 22d of February, after sixty miles of continuous fighting to Camp Grierson, Tenn. On the 28th of February they brought out of Mississippi twenty-five hundred negroes, between three and four thousand horses and mules, and one hundred prisoners. April 1 they joined the regiment at New Orleans, and April 16 arrived at Baton Rouge, joining the regiment at that place, and remaining there until mustered out August 11, 1864. Mr. Neikirk was honorably discharged at Springfield , Ill., having served for some time as Corporal. Among the engagements in which Mr. Neikirk participated were the following: Merriweather's Ferry, August 10, 1862; Hatchie River, October 5, 1862; Ivy Farm, Miss., February 22, 1864, and other important battles. He enlisted July 23, 1861, and was discharged August 11, 1864, after a continuous service of more than three years, during which he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. Returning home, Mr. Neikirk commenced farming on a portion of the old homestead, which he rented. August 12, 1868, he married Eliza A., daughter of Adam and Mary Ann (Meyer) Shock. Her parents removed from Seneca County, Ohio, to Mason County, Ill., in 1854, settling in Forest City Township, where the father died November 1, 1886, and the mother July 14, 1867. Mrs. Neikirk was born December 21, 1846, and has spent her entire life in the township where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Neikirk were the parents of nine children, of whom eight are now living. Mary E., who was born on the 3d of September, 1869, is the wife of Charles Richard and lives in Forest City Township, having one child by her marriage; Catherine L. was born March 22, 1871, and died January 31, 1890; Irvin, who was born March 25, 1873, married Miss Lizzie Himmel, of Forest City Township; Stephen D., born May 14, 1875; Elmer, November 3, 1877; James G., June 3, 1880; Vernon B., February 26, 1882; Warren, December 8, 1885; Gertie G., March 29, 1888, are at home with their parents. Socially, Mr. Neikirk is identified with J. Q. A. Jones Post No. 526, G. A. R., of Havana, and in politics he is a stanch Republican.

1894 Biography Index

Home