Neal, Horace E.

The following data is extracted from Illustrated History of the State of Idaho.

For the past six years this enterprising young businessman has occupied the responsible position of cashier of the Capital State Bank, of Idaho, and is rapidly acquiring the reputation of being one of the ablest financiers in the state. Prior to his connection with this well known banking institution, now regarded as one of the best in the great northwest, he had had experience in the handling of finances, having for several years been engaged in the loan business in this state and in Colorado, and having served as the first county treasurer of Kit Carson county, Colorado, after its organization by act of the state legislature, his appointment coming from Governor J. A. Cooper.

The ancestors of Horace E. Neal were Scotch, as his name indicates, and for several generations the family has lived in New Jersey and Ohio. James E. Neal, the father of our subject, was one of the early settlers of Ohio, and was; farmer by occupation. In politics he has been a Republican from the time that the party was organized. For his wife he chose Miss Mary A. Nincehelser, a lady of German extraction, whose family had long resided in Pennsylvania; and unto James E. and Mary A. Neal were born seven sons and two daughters, and three of the sons are numbered among the successful business men of Boise. The birth of Horace E. Neal occurred in Van Buren County, Iowa, September 7, 1859, and when a child he removed with his parents to Peru, Nebraska, where he was reared on a farm. He received a common-school training, and later pursued his studies in the State Normal at Peru, Nebraska, and at Tabor College, Tabor, Iowa, and completed his education in the Methodist University, then located at York, Nebraska. For three years he engaged in teaching in the common and graded schools of Nemaha county, Nebraska; afterward he went to western Kansas; thence to Burlington, Colorado, and during his residence in those cities was engaged in the lumber, real estate and loan business. He then served in the capacity of treasurer of Kit Carson County, Colorado, for two years, and in November 1890 came to Boise, where, in partnership with his brother, W. Scott, he engaged in the insurance and loan business.

In July, 1 89 1, Horace E. Neal became interested in the organization of the Capital State Bank of Idaho, and for the first two years of its existence he was its assistant cashier. In February 1893, he was elected to the position of cashier, and has since served as such. Much of the prosperity which this institution enjoys is directly traceable to the energy, good judgment and keen foresight of Mr. Neal in the management of its affairs. The bank was organized with fifty thousand dollars of paidup stock, and an authorized capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it now has a surplus of fourteen thousand dollars. Among the gentlemen who were concerned in the establishment of the bank were George D. Ellis; J. S. Fordyce; James H. Bush; B. Lombard, Jr., of Boston; H. E. Neal; H. H. Wheeler, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Edward Shainwald; and Frank A. Nourse. The first officers were J. S. Fordyce, president; J. H. Bush, vice-president; W. E. Mitchell, cashier; and H. E. Neal, assistant cashier. The present officers are George D. Ellis, president; J. C. Pence, vice-president; Horace E. Neal, cashier; and F. D. Young, assistant cashier. The bank now numbers among its patrons the leading merchants, cattle, sheep and mining men of the northwest.

In 1803 H. E. Neal was honored by an appointment to the office of city treasurer of Boise, and in July 1895, was elected to the position which he still retains. He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and in 1896 was elected as a member of the board of trustees of the independent school district of Boise. In the Masonic fraternity he ranks deservedly high. In 1891 he was made a Master Mason of Boise Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of the chapter, Commandery and shrine, being past master of Boise Lodge. In his political views he is an uncompromising Republican.

On the 24th of May 1893, Mr. Neal was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wallace, daughter of John N. Wallace, of Boise City. They have one child, a little son, W. Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Neal are valued workers and members of the Methodist church here, the former being the popular superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Neal takes a lively interest in all public matters, and takes a firm stand on the side of right at all times. He is president of the State Sunday School Association, and as such officer has been the means of building up the work throughout the state.

Source: Illustrated History of the State of Idaho

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