James McNeil - May 14, 1865 - Akron, OH

Mr James McNeil

Akron

Ohio

Akron May 4th 1865

Dear Friends

Borth Mother and Daughter. I now contemplate answering your kind letters as Mothers eye sight is so poor she cannot. Mothers health is qute poor this spring. I suppose we must expect it as she is getting old. still she is able to be about all of the time. As for the rest of us we are all well. the rest consist of myself wife + Boy. I dont know as you have heard of his arrival. he is now nearly eight months old is fat + hearty as a pig and [illegible] all around. We Call him Grant. and as things look now I think he wont be ashamed of his name. Has not every thing turned out glorious. If it was not for the murder of our Noble President there would be nothing to mar our enjoyment over the events

Georges folks are all well and have been for some time Em was here a few minutes ago. she is staying at home yet. not Married yet, We had a letter from Hat. last week. Angie is teaching near Lancaster Hat has got a lot of boarders. Jerry was not very well when she wrote but nothing serious.

Rector has sold out at Warsaw and talks some of moveing out a farm near Akron Although it is not decided yet I believe. We had a severe frost here on the night of the 11th of this Month. the ground and water standing on it was froze. probably the fruit is about all killed.

I am in a barrel factory in Akron I have charge of it I like it pretty well shall probably stay here for a while, Akron is growing to be quite a town Manufacturing Establishments are building up quite fast.

The [Brl?] Factory employs from sixty to seventy Men + boys.

Well, I have told you about all that will interest you. and think I will bring this to a close, I will send you one of my card pictures, and when the rest of the family get some I will send you a specimen, folks say that my picture resembles the original very much.

I will send one to Hannah. hopeing that you will be kind enough to deliver it to her with our best love.

Mother sends love to you all. and we all join in sending love,

Please answer soon.

from Brother

J. C. McNeil,

A half a life and half

Benjaman a life

Mr James McNeil

Akron

Ohio