son of Eli P Neal and Mary Jenks

Joseph P. Neal, the subject of this brief notice, was born in Norwich, Vt., July 24, 1843.
At the age of eight years he came with his parents to reside in Hanover. Here he was obliged to struggle with all the difficulties incident to the life of a young man destitute of funds and of friends. He early showed a love of learning, and a desire for excellence. For ten years his time was divided between labor and study. With the aid of the district school, the sabbath school and private tuition, he was fitted for college at the close of the spring of 1882. The Civil War interrupted his college course at its commencement, and he enlisted 24 June 1862 in the Dartmouth Cavalry, which became part of Company B in the 7th Rhode Island Cavalry.
In the summer of that year he served in the army for three months. Having completed three months service, he was mustered out in Providence, RI on 2 Oct 1862. In September of the same year he entered Dartmouth College, where he held an honorable position in his class, and was graduated in 1866.
While in College he served a second term of three months in the army, enlisting again as a private on 27 Feb 1865, in Company F of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry, being mustered out 15 July 1865. After his graduation he taught school in Ogdensburg, for a short term, but was obliged to leave his work on account of ill health. After the recovery of his wonted strength, he engaged a school in Westerly, R. I., where he taught with eminent success for two years as an instructor in Mr Foster's school for boys. During that time he became profoundly interested in religion and united with the first Baptist Church in that town, March 1, 1868. In September, 1869, he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, hoping that his health would be improved by a change of climate. He assisted Wright and Irwin (of 1867 Dartmouth class) in running a newspaper there and taught till March 1870, when repeated attacks of hemorrhage cut off forever his hope of success and his prospect of life. In July of that year he left his adopted home and returned to Hanover to die. He bore his long illness (tuberculosis) with resignation and died May 9, 1871, in Christian hope.

Joseph P. Neal mustered into Co. F, 1st NH Cavalry as a private 24 Jun 1862; promoted to corporal June 1865.
Attended Dartmouth College and was a member of Dartmouth Cavalry. Possibly in Co B, 7th RI Vol Cavalry.

Source:
- vital records
- The Dartmouth, Vol V (1871)
- Dartmouth College, Class of 1866: Pamphlet box

son of Eli P Neal and Mary Jenks

Joseph P. Neal, the subject of this brief notice, was born in Norwich, Vt., July 24, 1843.
At the age of eight years he came with his parents to reside in Hanover. Here he was obliged to struggle with all the difficulties incident to the life of a young man destitute of funds and of friends. He early showed a love of learning, and a desire for excellence. For ten years his time was divided between labor and study. With the aid of the district school, the sabbath school and private tuition, he was fitted for college at the close of the spring of 1882. The Civil War interrupted his college course at its commencement, and he enlisted 24 June 1862 in the Dartmouth Cavalry, which became part of Company B in the 7th Rhode Island Cavalry.
In the summer of that year he served in the army for three months. Having completed three months service, he was mustered out in Providence, RI on 2 Oct 1862. In September of the same year he entered Dartmouth College, where he held an honorable position in his class, and was graduated in 1866.
While in College he served a second term of three months in the army, enlisting again as a private on 27 Feb 1865, in Company F of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry, being mustered out 15 July 1865. After his graduation he taught school in Ogdensburg, for a short term, but was obliged to leave his work on account of ill health. After the recovery of his wonted strength, he engaged a school in Westerly, R. I., where he taught with eminent success for two years as an instructor in Mr Foster's school for boys. During that time he became profoundly interested in religion and united with the first Baptist Church in that town, March 1, 1868. In September, 1869, he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, hoping that his health would be improved by a change of climate. He assisted Wright and Irwin (of 1867 Dartmouth class) in running a newspaper there and taught till March 1870, when repeated attacks of hemorrhage cut off forever his hope of success and his prospect of life. In July of that year he left his adopted home and returned to Hanover to die. He bore his long illness (tuberculosis) with resignation and died May 9, 1871, in Christian hope.

Joseph P. Neal mustered into Co. F, 1st NH Cavalry as a private 24 Jun 1862; promoted to corporal June 1865.
Attended Dartmouth College and was a member of Dartmouth Cavalry. Possibly in Co B, 7th RI Vol Cavalry.

Source:
- vital records
- The Dartmouth, Vol V (1871)
- Dartmouth College, Class of 1866: Pamphlet box