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William Russell O'Neal (1864-1946) was a prominent citizen in Orlando, Florida. O'Neal was born in Belpre, Washington County, Ohio on June 4, 1864. He attended Marietta College before settling in Orlando in 1886, marrying his first wife Mabelle Copeland that August. After she passed away in 1910, he married his second wife Jessie Mallory Thayer in 1914. His second wife passed away in November 1923; O'Neal himself passed away on January 23, 1946.
In Orlando, O'Neal established himself as an active member of the community. He was a partner of Curtis & O'Neal, the area's largest stationery and book store. He was active in banking, investment and insurance activities in Orlando. He was also active in local and state politics, elected in 1895 to the Orlando city council. He was prominent in Republican Party politics, running for numerous state and national offices. He was never, however, elected to any of the political offices he campaigned for.
William O'Neal was the author of two local newspaper columns, "The Observer" and "Memoirs of a Pioneer", written for the Orlando Sentinel-Star. These columns covered a variety of topics, such as the early development of the city of Orlando, its buildings, people and events. He also discussed daily events on a local level and worldwide events during World War II, giving insight into what was happening on the home front during the war.
Summary:
This collection consists primarily of carbon copy typescripts of William O'Neal's two newspaper columns, "The Observer" and "Memoirs of a Pioneer," between the years 1940 to 1945. Within the typescripts are various letters, postcards and other correspondence from readers of his columns. The collection also includes materials, primarily newspaper clippings, regarding the Republican Party in Florida.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available.
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Previously State Library of Florida Manuscripts Collection MS171.
Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
O'Neal, William Russell, 1864-1946
Republican Party (Fla.)
World War, 1939-1945. City government. Newspaper publishing Florida
Typescript (photocopy). Clippings. aat Postcards. aat Letters. aat
Orange County (Fla.) Orlando (Fla.)
for detailed listing.