Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

associated in the shoe manufacturing
business with Samuel Hodges, his wife's
uncle. He was the founder of the system
of lighthouses in Bridgeport Harbor, and
for many years before his death was the
keeper of the lighthouse at the entrance
of the harbor. Mr. McNeil died in Bridge-
port May II, 1873. He married in Bridgeport,
November 25, 1827, Mary Ann,
daughter of Captain William Hulse, who,
in 1813, was lost at sea with all the crew
of the brig "William," sailing out of
Bridgeport. She was born November 11,
1811, died in July, 1892. Children: i.
Charles Hubbell, born December 14, 1828;
was engaged in business pursuits, being
for many years associated with his brother
Archibald ; twice married, but had no is-
sue ;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
his widow married (second) Captain
Alvin P. Hunt. 2. John, born October 9,
years harbor master of Bridge-
1830 ; many
port, and a highly public-spirited citizen,
especially active in all movements for the
improvement of the harbor ; married, 1865,
Anna, daughter of James and Anna Maria
(Barnes) Scofield of New York, and is
survived by one daughter, who is the
widow of Rev. Louis N. Booth of Bridge-
port. 3. Samuel William, born March 16,
1832, deceased. 4. Eliza Maria, born January
9, 1834, died March 6, 1835. 5.
Josiah Hoyt, born February 9, 1835, died
August 24, 1836. 6. and 7. (twins) born
August 31, 1837, Augustus, died August
18, 1838, and Sidney Adolphus, deceased,
who was a citizen of Bridgeport and
keeper of the lighthouse, and is survived
by his widow. 8. Mary Hoyt, born October
20, 1839, died November 25, 1840.
9. Mary Hoyt, December 12, 1840, de-
ceased. 10. Archibald (3), of whom further.
II. Maria Longworth, born Decem-
ber 25, 1845, deceased ; married Lester J.
Bradley ; no surviving children. 12. Sarah,
born August 28, 1848, died in 1853.
(V) Archibald (3) McNeil, in the fifth
generation from his American forebear,
Archibald (i) McNeil, was the tenth child
of Abraham Archibald and Mary Ann
(Hulse) McNeil, and was born at Bridge-
port, July 2, 1843. Having received his
preliminary education at Sellick's School,
Bridgeport, he attended the famous
Thomas School at New Haven and the
Hopkins Grammar School of that city,
being graduated from the last-named
school in the class of i860. He next
entered the ship-chandlery store of his
brother, Charles H. McNeil, which then
was situated opposite the old railroad sta-
112
tion and steamboat landing at Bridgeport.
In 1863 he entered into partnership with
his brother, the firm name being McNeil
Brothers, wholesale dealers in fruit and
produce. In 1876 the brothers, having
looked afield for the enlargement of their
business relations and activities, removed
to New York City and located at 84 Broad
Street, under the style of Archibald Mc-
Neil & Company, wholesale dealers in but-
ter and cheese. A wider domain of trade
lured them to a much broader field of
operations, and in 1879 they engaged in
the export and import business with Cuba,
making the principal commodities of their
trade bituminous coal and produce. Discontinuing
the establishment in New
York City in 1888, Mr. McNeil returned
to Bridgeport, and in that city he estab-
lished a coal business, which since has
grown to large proportions. Later he in-
corporated the business under the style
of Archibald McNeil & Sons Company,
Incorporated, the other members of the
concern being Mr. McNeil's three sons,
Archibald (4), Kenneth W. and Roderick
C. Through years of honest effort, pains-
taking devotion to business, active par-
ticipation in the civic and social life of
the city, Mr. McNeil attained a high place