[1] Born near Desha, Arkansas, Neill attended the common schools.

He entered the Confederate States Army in May 1861 and served as a private in Company K, First Regiment, Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, Gen. Benjamin McCulloch's Brigade, Army of the West.

[1] He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1868 and commenced practice in Batesville in 1872.

He served one year as chairman of the Arkansas Railroad Commission, having been appointed in 1899 by Governor Jones.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress