James A. MacNeill was a blacksmith

Blacksmith

A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...

, merchant and political figure in Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...

, Canada. He represented 5th Prince

5th Prince

5th Prince was an electoral district in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which elected two members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1996.The district comprised the city of Summerside.-Dual Member:...

 in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island

Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island

The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....

 from 1908 to 1922 and from 1923 to 1926 as a Conservative

Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party

The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. It and its rival, the Liberals have alternated in power since responsible government was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative...

 member.

He was born at Travellers Rest, Prince Edward Island, the son of Malcolm MacNeill and Isabel McDonald. He sold farm equipment. MacNeill was elected to the town council for Summerside

Summerside, Prince Edward Island

Summerside is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is the second largest city in the province and the principal municipality for the western part of the island.- History :...

 and was mayor from 1901 to 1904. He also served as chairman of the Water Commission and chief of the Fire Department. MacNeill served on the province's Executive Council as Commissioner of Public Works. His sons Leonard

Leonard M. MacNeill

Leonard Malcolm MacNeill was an accountant and political figure on Prince Edward Island. He represented 5th Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in 1932 as a Conservative....

 and Daniel Francis

Daniel F. MacNeill

Daniel Francis MacNeill was a businessperson and political figure on Prince Edward Island. He represented 5th Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1944 to 1946 as a Progressive Conservative....

  and his grandsons Francis J. MacNeill

Francis J. MacNeill

Francis J. "Peg" MacNeill was an educator and political figure on Prince Edward Island. He represented 5th Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1946 to 1947 as a Progressive Conservative....

 and Hubert B. MacNeill

Hubert B. MacNeill

Hubert Bernard MacNeill is a physician and former political figure on Prince Edward Island. He represented 5th Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1960 to 1966 as a Progressive Conservative....

also served in the provincial assembly.