Joel Neff

Joel Neff was born in Wheeling, West Virginia about 1804. He and his mother, Margurite, lived in Wheeling until Joel received his education and grew to young manhood. It was when he was in his early 20's that Joel left Wheeling to travel West. In an historical biography of Joel's life, it is known that his mother, Margurite, went to live with his Uncle Adam Neff in Cincinnati, OH, where he owned a manufacturing company.

Joel Made his way to Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois by 1823. It was here that he married Marilla Wilder in May 1, 1828. The daughter of James Wilder and Roxany Joy Wilder, Marilla had come to Madison County, with her pioneer parents, from the State of Vermont. Having learned the trade of a cabinet maker, he opened a shop at Edwardsville, and for several years made furniture for the new settlers.

According to THE HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY ILLINOIS, Joel and Marilla Neff had five children, all born in Madison County, Illinois:

Henry Neff Born abt. 1830

Alvin A. Neff Born September 4, 1831

George North Neff Born April 21, 1834

Robert A. Neff Born 1835

Mary Abigail Neff Born 1841

Removing his family to the Godfrey township in 1832, he opened the first mine of coal in that vicinity. For two years he devoted his energies to the mining of coal. As the river steamers at that time used wood for fuel, he became discouraged in his new venture, there being but little demand for coal, even when it was delivered at the docks for three cents a bushel.

In 1833 he assumed charge of the Alton House, the largest and best hotel in Alton, and conducted it for a year. He was subsequently employed for a number of years as a contractor and builder, likewise taking contracts to clear large pieces of the heavily timbered land lying in and around Alton.

In the 1840's, Joel went to Cincinnati, Ohio and brought his mother to Alton, where she died at the age of eighty four. In the 50's, he turned his attention to agriculture. He was engaged in general farming, making a specialty of growing sweet potatoes.

Going to Colorado, in 1859, he took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land near Golden. He fenced it in and pastured dairy cows. In the fall of 1859 he started home and died en route, his body being laid to rest at Bloomington, Missouri. His wife, Marilla, survived him, passing away at the home of her daughter, Mary Abigail Neff Glenn, in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 79.

Written by Jennifer Seitl

Contributions by Bev Lacey