In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
EDGAR D. NEAL
Edgar D. Neal is one of the younger representatives of agricultural interests in Linn county, owning and operating a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Linn township. He has always resided in that township, where his birth occurred on a farm in 187-3. He is the eldest in a family of three sons and one daughter, whose parents are Elmer D. and Amanda E. (Hoover) Nenl. also natives of Linn township. The father, who was born on the 4th of May, IS)11, is a prominent farmer of his section of the county, having extensive landed possessions. A complete sketch of the parents is given on another page of this work.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Edgar D. Noal after completing his studies in the district schools, pursued a commercial course in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, from which he graduated, and then taught school in Linn county for two terms. Returning home, he remained there until twenty-five years of age, assisting his father in the work of the fields and the care of the stock. He then started out in life for himself by operating a rented tract of land for seven years, and at the end of that time purchased the farm which he had rented, it being his present home. The tract comprises one hundred and twenty acres and came into his possession in 1907, lie is most enterprising and progressive in his work as is indicated by the splendid appearance of his place, for the buildings are kept in good repair, while the fields return rich crops for the care and labor which he bestow upon them.
It was on the 5th of December, 1900, that Mr. Xeal wedded Miss Rhoda R. Laeock, a daughter of Jacob and Christina (Stinger) Lacock, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Linn county. Unto Mr. and Sirs. Lacock have been born ten children, as follows: Charlie G. and Harvey, residents of Linn county; Slarion, of Ottumwa. Iowa; Virgil, of Linn county, Flora A., deceased; Rhoda R., now Sirs. Neal; Robert and Irvin, of Linn county; Andrew, who is deceased; and one who died in infancy. The father died in 1892 but the mother is still living and makes her home on the farm in Linn county. Unto Sir. and Sirs. Neal have been born three children: Harold E., who was born Slay 16. 1903, and died on the 23d of October of the same year; a daughter, who died unnamed; and Myron Ik. whose birth occurred October 19, 1909.
Following in his father's political footsteps, STr. Neal gives his support to the men and measures of the democracy, and he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. He is a young man of firm purpose and exemplary habits, fully sustaining the reputation that has always been borne by the Neal family.
As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.