Husband William Woods O'Neil 1
Born: 16 Aug 1830 - Mifflin Twp, Allegheny Co, PA 2
Christened:
Died: 26 Dec 1902 1
Buried:
Father: Denny O'Neil (1803-1836) 3 4
Mother: Sarah Brauff ( -1896) 4 5
Marriage: 8 Dec 1853 6
Other Spouse: Mary B. Means ( -Aft 1915) 6 - 9 Jan 1867 6
Wife Elizabeth B. Cunningham 6
Born:
Christened:
Died: 25 Dec 1863 6
Buried:
Children
1 M James Denny O'Neil 6
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
2 F Anna O'Neil 6
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Newton P. Williams ( - ) 6
3 F Sarah O'Neil 6
Born:
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Died: Aft 1915
Buried:
Spouse: William M. Ekin ( -Bef 1915) 6
4 F Rachel O'Neil 6
Born:
Christened:
Died: Aft 1915
Buried:
Spouse: R. P. Kennedy ( -Bef 1915) 6
5 M William O'Neil 6
Born:
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Died: while young
Buried:
6 M John N. O'Neil 6
Born:
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Died:
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General Notes: Husband - William Woods O'Neil
He was educated in the public schools, and began business life as a miner, the Monongahela mines. Later he became a river pilot and ran the Monongahela and Ohio rivers for a few years. Coal mining was then in its infancy in western Pennsylvania, and as he ran the rivers he noted the excellent chances for locating and developing the mines in the surrounding hills. Finally he left the river with the remark: "The coal is there, merely waits to be mined. I may go broke in shipping coal, but that will be my chronic condition if I remain a river pilot." Leaving the river, he formed a partnership with his brother, John Nixon O'Neil, operating a mine and shipping their product as J. N. and W. W. O'Neil. The brothers were very successful and extended their operations until their business, mining and shipping, became a very extensive one. In course of time they admitted the brothers, S. P. and I. N. Large, to the firm, and operated still more extensively. Finally the firm dissolved and William Woods O'Neil organized the W. W. O'Neil Coal Company, of which he was president until the company was absorbed by the combined coal companies. He extended his operations all over the coal districts of Pennsylvania and the central west, becoming a national character whose advice in business and financial matters was sought and followed. He developed with the years, and the castles he erected as he guided the river steamers past the deposits of undeveloped coal were not "castles in Spain," but all became actualities. He became the president and real managing head of the Pittsburgh and Southern Coal Company, the Marine National Bank of Pittsburgh, the First National Bank of Elizabeth, and had numerous private interests in various coal fields, as well as in other lines of business. Two years before his death he retired from business, but he retained his interest in the town where he long resided, Elizabeth, and at his death was president of the town council. For many years he was a member of the National Board of Steam Navigation, serving on its executive committee.
At his death the entire press of the country noted the event and gave extended accounts of his business life. His one relaxation and enjoyment was the light harness horse, owning and driving some of the best of his day. Among some of the noted trotters he owned was "Ruth Wilkes," afterwards sold to the Emperor of Austria. He was a member of the Masonic order, and in political faith a Republican.