Optional page text here. Alvin C. McNiel

Alvin C. McNiel

BIOGRAPHY OF ALVIN CULLOM McNIEL

Alvin Cullom McNiel was born on October 26, 1848, in Williamson County, Texas, the eldest son of John McNiel of Wilkes County, North Carolina, and Elizabeth E. Teaples of Tennessee. He was also the great-great-grandson of Rev. George McNiel (Revolutionary War Chaplain) of Wilkes County, North Carolina, who was born in Glasco, Scotland in about 1720.

Alvin Cullom McNiel, served in Company A, 18th Texas Infantry (Walker's Division). He was about 15 years old when he enlisted at Shreveport in about January, 1864, traveling from Cherokee County, Texas. He served until he was discharged at Hempstead, Texas, on about May 1, 1865.

Alvin Cullom McNiel married Mary Catherine Newman, grand-daughter of Texas colonist Jonathan Newman, III, on June 25, 1874, in Washington County, Texas. Alvin & Mary Catherine had thirteen children: John N.; Charles; Benjamin; Emma; Alvin D.; Lula Beatrice; Annie Irene; Claudius Neal; Thomas Rush; Katie Lee; Hallie Laura; Lois Eugene; and James Larkin. He was a farmer by trade.

During his lifetime, Alvin Cullom McNiel applied for a Soldier's Application for Pension, which was made on August 4, 1909, and approved on December 16, 1920. It contains the affidavits of several of his fellow soldiers with whom he served. This Application (No. 37087) was signed by the Commission of Pensions and is on file in Texas State Archives in Austin, Texas.

Alvin Culllom McNiel died on October 29, 1925, and is buried at the Harmony Cemetery in Milam County, Texas; there is a Confederate marker on his grave.

Submitted by Princess Castleman Cook

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