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John Vincent MacNeil (also spelled McNeil; Eòin Dhòmhnaill Ìomhair) was born in Benacadie, the son of Donald Edward MacNeil and Catherine MacNeil. He graduated from a local school academy in 1878 and became a schoolteacher for about three years. In 1881, he started his own business, owning and operating a general store for about three years. Dissatisfied with his progress, he moved to Boston (c.1884) where he learned carpentry, architecture, and building construction. In 1886, he moved to Los Angeles where he married his wife, Christina E. McDonald, of Colchester, Nova Scotia, in 1887. They had 11 children. He worked as a contractor most of his years in Los Angeles. He specialized in concrete and heavy construction and built numerous large public and private buildings, including schools, office buildings, manufacturing plants, hotels, and residences. He also successfully invested in several real estate projects. |