NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 W. R. NEAL In no line of public service is there demanded more careful and painstaking attention to the wants and tastes of the people than in that of hotelkeeping, and he who through a series of years has successfully managed to please and satisfy those who have patronized him has earned the respect of his fellowmen. To William R. Neal must be accorded a due meed of praise because of his splended record in the operation of the Antlers Hotel at spirit Lake, for under his management the place has increased in popularity and custom and is now one of the best patronized hotels in Iowa. Mr. Neal was born in Sedalia, Missouri, on the 10th of June, 1877, and is a son of John and Mary (Johnson) Neal, both of whom were natives of Missouri. The father was engaged in a mercantile business in Pettis county, Missouri, for a number of years, but died when his son William was but a child. The widowed mother reared her three children, two sons and a daughter, and nobly fulfilled her mission in life. William R. Neal attended the public schools of Sedalia and at the age of nineteen years he engaged in the stationery business in that city. A year later, going to St. Louis, he became a member of the office force of the Planters Hotel, which has for many years been one of the leading hotels of the country. Here, by reason of faithful attention to duty, Mr. Neal was advanced through various positions to that of chief clerk, his connection with that house covering a period of ten years. He then went with the well-known railroad construction firm of McCabe & Steen, of St. Louis, engaged in the building of railroads in all parts of the country. His first position was as head of the commissary department but in an incredibly short time he was advanced to superintendent of construction, in which capacity he directed the building of many miles of railroad in various states of the Union. The great business depression of 1907 practically put a stop to railroad building and he then returned to the Planters Hotel, where he remained for four years. Later he was offered and accepted the management of a string of hotels in Illinois, which he operated for four years, and in 1917, he came to Spirit Lake as manager of the Antlers Hotel. Two years later he bought the property and has continued to devote his time and attention to its operation, making of it one of the most popular hotels in northern Iowa. In 1911 Mr. Neal was united in marriage to Miss Bert Potter, of St. Louis. He is a member of Twilight Lodge, No. 329, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Spirit Lake Chapter, No. 132, Royal Arch Masons; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Abu-Bekr Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, while he and his wife are members of twilight Chapter, No. 59, Order of the Eastern Star. They are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Neal has taken a commendable interest in local public affairs and is a member of the town council of Spirit Lake. He is a man of sound business circles of this city. He is a man of engaging personality, easily makes friends and enjoys marked popularity among his acquaintances. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/