James Neeley
submitted by:
Jerry W. Cook
James Neeley was born in Bedford County, Tenn. on August 22, 1843 and is the son of James Madison and Icye (Bledsoe) Neeley. James Washington Neeley died in Bedford County, Tenn. on September 13, 1926 with his burial in the Mount Lebanon Methodist Church Cemetery in the 18th Civil District, several miles west of Shelbyville, Tenn. James was married to Mary Elizabeth Stephenson (1852-1936) in Bedford County on August 7, 1870. To them was born five children: Henry Spencer Neely (1872-1962), William Madison Neeley (1873-1958), Richard Alexander Neeley (1876-1946), Elly Bell (Neeley) Ray (1881-1970) and Lilly (Neeley) Shearin (1884-1926). James enrolled into the Union Army at Shelbyville, Tenn. on November 15, 1863 for a one year tour and was mustered into service at Nashville, Tenn. on March 21, 1864 and was placed in Company F of the 1st Alabama and Tennessee Independent Vidette Cav. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on April 12, 1864 and was discharged at Stevenson, Alabama on June 16, 1864. While in service, in May of 1864 at Cheatam Mills, Tenn. James contracted a case of chronic diarrhea and a sever cold which affected his breast and both of his eyes, issues he would live with for the rest of his life.
