M.H. Neil

M.H. Neil, First Niobrara County Attorney, Dies in Colo.

M.H. Neil, first county attorney of Niobrara County, died at Loveland, Colo., Friday, at the age of 79. He had been in failing health for two months or more. Funeral services were held Monday from the Presbyterian Church and interment was at Loveland. Henry Petz and Michael Cordell went from Lusk to attend the services.

Mr. Neil came to Niobrara County about 1909 with those people organizing and settling the Jireh community, and he homesteaded a mile east of Jireh.

Niobrara County was voted to separate from Converse County on May 2, 1911. In August of 1912 the first primary election was held, with Mr. Neil defeating Sol J. Weil for the Republican nomination and thus assuring election in November, since there was no Democratic candidate.

In 1930 Mr. Neil was elected to the State Legislature to represent Niobrara County, he serving the single two-year term. He practiced law here until the late 30's when he retired from the practice of law and moved to Loveland. Besides his law practice he became co-owner with the late John Slater of several business properties on Main street in Lusk. He has maintained this interest, as well as the sole ownership of several other income properties. He accumulated large stock holdings in the Tom Bell Royalty and the Buck Creek Oil Company and was an official in both companies. Surviving besides his wife is one stepson, a son of his first wife, R.J. Templeton of Cheyenne.

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