Description

MACNEILL, LEONARD MALCOLM, accountant; b. 11 December 1883 in Summerside, son of James A. MacNeill* and Sarah Eliza MacNeill; m. Elisabeth Regina Deagan, and they had six children, Leonore, Helen, Isabel, George, Virginia, and Hilda; Roman Catholic; d. 23 February 1932 in Summerside. MacNeill, a Conservative, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1931 for 5th Prince. Upon his election, he was appointed Minister of Public Works and Highways, and he died while serving in this Ministry. Before entering provincial politics, MacNeill served as chairman of the Summerside Town Council’s finance committee. MacNeill came from a family with a long political history in the province. MacNeill’s father James A.* and his brother Daniel Francis* both served as Members of the Legislative Assembly. Two of Daniel’s sons, Francis “Peg”* and Hubert*, were also MLAs. MacNeill was educated at Summerside High School. He was employed by the Town of Summerside, where he worked under Hugh J. Massey and became an accountant. MacNeill became associated with the firm of R. T. Holman Limited, where he worked for almost 30 years. In 1928, when he resigned, he was the chief accountant and one of the directors of the firm. His retirement was due to the failing health of his father, which resulted in MacNeill taking charge of the large machinery business his father had operated. Outside of his private and political careers, MacNeill was actively involved in his community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as state deputy for the Prince Edward Island Council of the Summerside Trotting Park Association and the Charlottetown Gyro Club. Leonard MacNeill died on 23 February 1932. Elisabeth MacNeill. the daughter of Phillip and Elisabeth Lacey Deagan, was born in 1885 and died in 1968., CPG 1932; Maple Leaf Magazine April 1932; Patriot 24 February 1932; PARO: Census 1901; St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church Summerside Cemetery Records.