Neil McNeil (30 December 1855 – 8 May 1927) was a prominent Australian businessman who was significant in the development of railways across Australia along with Western Australia's timber industry. McNeil was born in the Scottish town of Dingwall as the second son of Neil MacNeil (1827–1915), a railway contractor, and Elizabeth (née Urquhart). He emigrated to Victoria with his family at about the age of five and settled in

Ballarat Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands (Victoria), Central Highlands of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resid ...

, attending

Ballarat College Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018. Within months of Vic ...

. He then joined his father's business, soon becoming superintendent, before becoming a contractor in his own right and constructing railways in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, along with the metropolitan water supply scheme in Hobart. McNeil came to Western Australia in 1882. In 1894 he was the builder of

The Cliffe The Cliffe is one of the first residential dwellings built in the Perth suburb of Peppermint Grove. The house is located at 25 Bindaring Parade, Peppermint Grove and has historical associations with the prominent McNeil, Brisbane and McComb fa ...

Peppermint Grove Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world.Euro+Med Plantbas ...

. He built some of Western Australia's earlier railways. The Jarrahdale–Bunbury railway was proposed in 1888, and in 1893 Neil McNeil & Co constructed the Jarrahdale Junction to Pinjarra, then Pinjarra to Picton Junction lines. The last railway constructed was the Geraldton–Mullewa railway in 1894, also known as the Narngulu to Mullewa railway. McNeil founded Jarrahdale Jarrah Forests and Railways Ltd in 1897. He was managing director of the Jarrahdale company until the 1902 amalgamation with Millars. In 1905 he was put forward as a potential

Lord Mayor of Perth __TOC__ The history of the City of Perth, a local government area of Western Australia is defined over three distinct periods: *From 1829 to 1838 — controlled by the Governor of Western Australia *From 1838 to 1858 — controlled by the ''Pe ...

; however, he did not achieve the position. Other business interests included mines, orchards in Mount Barker and the Blackwood River area which exported fruit, and horse breeding for carriages. McNeil was also the owner of real estate holdings, some of which were disposed of in 1915. He also founded the

Perth Polo Club The Perth Polo Club is a polo club in Guildford, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Location The club is currently located at Kings Meadow on the outer southern side of the historical town of Guildford, on the river flat of the Helena Rive ...

. He was married to Jessie (née Laurie) from 1890 until his death on 8 May 1927. He is buried in the Presbyterian section of

Karrakatta Cemetery Karrakatta Cemetery is a metropolitan cemetery in the suburb of Karrakatta in Perth, Western Australia. Karrakatta Cemetery first opened for burials in 1899, the first being that of wheelwright Robert Creighton. Managed by the Metropolitan Ce ...

. The Mcneil house at Perth's Presbyterian Ladies' College is named after him.

References

{{authority control Australian timber merchants Australian people in rail transport Scottish emigrants to colonial Australia Settlers of Western Australia People from Ballarat People from Perth, Western Australia Burials at Karrakatta Cemetery 1855 births 1927 deaths

See also

References