Governor of the Idaho Territory. Civil War Army Officer. Born and raised in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio John Baldwin Neil received his education at the Kentucky Military Institute. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Neil enlisted for 90 days with the 2nd Ohio Infantry, and participated in the First Battle of Bull Run. At the end of this enlistment, Neil returned to Ohio to help recruit the 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was commissioned as an officer with this regiment, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was wounded on April 6, 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh; he also participated in the Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Atlanta Campaigns, seeing action at the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Ezra Church, and Lovejoy's Station. He was mustered from the Army on July 22, 1865. Following his time in the military, Neil returned to Ohio and became the secretary for two Ohio Governors, including Rutherford B. Hayes. When Hayes became the President, he selected Neil as the Registrar of the United States Land Office in Salt Lake City. Neil was later appointed as the Governor of the Idaho Territory, and he served from August 3, 1880 until March 2, 1883. Neil’s tenure as Governor was not entirely successful, as he attempted to enforce a series of federal laws which proved unpopular with a large segment of the Territorial population. After leaving office he returned to his business interests, and died in Columbus, Ohio on October 6, 1902.
Governor of the Idaho Territory. Civil War Army Officer. Born and raised in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio John Baldwin Neil received his education at the Kentucky Military Institute. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Neil enlisted for 90 days with the 2nd Ohio Infantry, and participated in the First Battle of Bull Run. At the end of this enlistment, Neil returned to Ohio to help recruit the 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was commissioned as an officer with this regiment, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was wounded on April 6, 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh; he also participated in the Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Atlanta Campaigns, seeing action at the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Ezra Church, and Lovejoy's Station. He was mustered from the Army on July 22, 1865. Following his time in the military, Neil returned to Ohio and became the secretary for two Ohio Governors, including Rutherford B. Hayes. When Hayes became the President, he selected Neil as the Registrar of the United States Land Office in Salt Lake City. Neil was later appointed as the Governor of the Idaho Territory, and he served from August 3, 1880 until March 2, 1883. Neil’s tenure as Governor was not entirely successful, as he attempted to enforce a series of federal laws which proved unpopular with a large segment of the Territorial population. After leaving office he returned to his business interests, and died in Columbus, Ohio on October 6, 1902.
Bio by: Ernest
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