Henry Safford NEAL, Congress, OH (1828-1906)

NEAL, Henry Safford, a Representative from Ohio; born in Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, August 25, 1828; attended the common schools; was graduated from Marietta (Ohio) College in 1847; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1851 and commenced practice in Ironton, Ohio; prosecuting attorney of Lawrence County about 1851; member of the State senate 1861-1863; appointed consul to Lisbon, Portugal, in 1869; by the resignation of the Minister Resident became Chargé d’Affaires in December 1869 and served until July 1870, when he resigned and returned to Ohio; delegate to the Ohio constitutional convention in 1873; elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1883); chairman, Committee on District of Columbia (Forty-seventh Congress); was not a candidate for renomination in 1882; resumed the practice of his profession at Ironton, Ohio; appointed Solicitor of the Treasury by President Arthur and served from July 3, 1884, to April 13, 1885, when a successor was appointed by President Cleveland; again resumed the practice of law; died in Ironton, Ohio, July 13, 1906; interment in Woodland Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present