1881 personal census, Gosfield Twp, Essex Co., ON, LDS 1881 census household record:
Nevill Edward, M, Married, 53, born Ont, origin: Irish, Episcopal Methodist, Farmer;
Sarah, F, Married, 43, born Ont, origin: Scottish, Episcopal Methodist;
Joannah, F, 17, born Ont, origin: Scottish, Episcopal Methodist;
William H., 14, born Ont, origin: Irish, Episcopal Methodist.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 482-483:
William H. Neville, one of the younger farmers of Gosfield North, and a public-spirited citizen, who is ever ready to help in any movement for the betterment of his community, was born March 27, 1866, near Pontiac, Michigan, though he comes of one of Canada's old families, being a son of Edward and Sarah (McKenzie) Neville.
The first of the family to settle in Essex was Edward Neville, a native of Ireland, who came to Canada with his family of five sons, Robert, Edward, James, George and Francis, and one daughter. Francis Neville was born in July, 1798, married Nancy Williams, born Oct. 4, 1805, and settled on what is now Lot 271, Talbot Road South, in 1825, in the days when the country was an unbroken wilderness, and the only road an Indian trail from the lake to Windsor. On the farm which he cleared in the midst of this wilderness, Francis Neville and his wife lived for the rest of their days, and of their eleven children, nine reached maturity: (1) Thomas married Agnes Beatty, and lived and died on the old homestead, leaving a family of three, James (of Cottam), Robert (of South Dakota) and Nancy (wife of Charles Boorman). (2) James married Sarah Wigle and settled in Gosfield, his family are John, of Detroit; Mary, wife of Wilthew Foster; Colin, on the homestead about half a mile from Ruthven; Testamia, wife of Michael Wigle; Dr. Wendal, of Wisconsin; Augusta, wife of Ezra Wigle; and Adelia, wife of Scott Foster. (3) Edward was the father of William H. and Joanna. (4) Mary, wife of Charles Gilboe, of Gosfield, had two daughters, Testamia, wife of Solomon Malott, and Alwilda, wife of Albert Lonsbury. (5) Abigail married Peter Gilboe, of Gosfield, their children being Andrew, of Detroit; Seroha, wife of Fred Robinson; Isadore, wife of Grove Hopgood; Philemon, of the United States; Hubert, at home; Minnie, wife of Charles Williams; and Leonard, at home. (6) Jane is the wife of Joseph Gilboe, of Michigan, and has six children, Francis
and Oscar, of Pontiac; Laura, wife of George Johnson; Byron, Ella and Nina, at home. (7) Charles married Adeline Sanford and settled in Gosfield, where he died leaving one son, Charles, of Kingsville. (8) Solomon married Julia Lamarsh, and settled in Gosfield; he has two sons, Charles, of Cottam, and Hubert, of Michigan. (9) Isabella is the wife of Alexander Neville, of Pontiac, Michigan, and mother of Truella, now Mrs. Dusenberry, of Pontiac.
Edward Neville was born in Gosfield township, May 29, 1827, and grew up on the farm, assisting his father and going to school long enough to secure a limited education. In 1860 he married Miss Sarah McKenzie, who was born in Dover township, County of Kent, in 1836, daughter of Donald McKenzie, who came to Canada from Scotland. After their marriage the young couple settled on a part of the Neville homestead for some years, and then, selling their farm, they moved to Pontiac, Michigan. In 1869, however, Mr. Neville returned to Canada and purchased the present homestead, on Lot 72, Talbot Road North, then largely bush land, which he cleared and developed into a productive farm. He put up a good house, barn and other needed buildings, and continued to dwell in the home which he himself made until his death in December, 1884. His wife still lives there with her son. The only daughter, Joanna, born in Canada in 1863, is the wife of Arthur Flint, has two children, Orville and Elton, and lives on a farm near Cottam.
William H. Neville, the only son, passed his boyhood in the home which was later to become his own, and was educated in the schools of the township. As he grew older he became more and more the manager of his father's farm, and since the death of the latter has continued in the same vocation. He is one of the extensive tobacco producers of the county, and is also largely engaged in raising stock and grain. He has added a number of buildings to those which his father put up, and now has extensive barns and tobacco warehouses. Progressive and wide-awake, Mr. Neville has always prospered.
On Dec. 27, 1887, Mr. Neville was married to Miss Weltha Cohoe, born in the County of Oxford, June 11, 1867. She is the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Cohoe, who moved to their present home in Rochester township, County of Essex, during their daughter's childhood. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Neville: Carmine, in January, 1889; Emma, in February, 1895; Andrew E., in December, 1897; Sara E., in April, 1901. Mr. Neville and his wife belong to the Methodist church, in which Edward Neville was always prominent, although his wife, Sarah, has always been a member of the Church of England.
In public life William Neville has always taken an active part; a member of the Liberal party, he was elected in 1899 town auditor, and two years later, at the expiration of that term of office, he was made town treasurer, a position he is still holding. His is of the best type of citizens, being one of those who hold themselves ever ready for service, where it is needed, and who strive to advance the interests of the community in which they live. Socially Mr. Neville belongs to the I.O.F., Court Cottam Lodge, No. 3435. Thoroughly manly and upright in character, and of more than average ability, William H. Neville is a worthy successor to his father, who was respected and beloved throughout the region.
Edward
Neville
Joanna Neville 1863-
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