Wisconsin educator, newspaperman, and politician Jeremiah O’Neil

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Final resting place of Wisconsin educator, newspaperman, and politician Jeremiah O’Neil. He was interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Photo credit: Find a Grave

There are many outstanding educators who have taught in American public schools. One of them is Jeremiah O’Neil, a teacher, principal, newspaperman, judge, and state assemblyman from Wisconsin.

Jeremiah was born on a farm in Utica, Wisconsin, on Jan. 13, 1866. As a boy, he attended public schools in Mt. Sterling. Once he graduated, he enrolled at the state normal school, now known as the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. There he completed the prescribed course of study in elementary education in June, 1893.

Once he completed his education, Jeremiah accepted positions as a teacher and a principal at grade schools in Kewaskum in Wisconsin’s Fond du Lac County, where he worked from 1893 to 1896. He worked an additional five years as a teacher in Crawford County.

After Jeremiah relocated to Wauzeka, a nearby village in Crawford County, where he served two terms as president of the town council. In 1906, he ran on the Democratic ticket for a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Crawford County. He won the election and served one term as a member of that body.

In addition to his work as an educator and a politician, Jeremiah worked as the editor and publisher for the weekly newspaper known as the Kickapoo Chief from 1899 to 1913, when he was elected the county judge for Crawford County, and gave up his position at the newspaper. Jeremiah served as the county judge for a total of 34 years.

In addition to his work as the county judge, Jeremiah served as trustee of the Equitable Reserve Association for 20 years. He was the county Red Cross Chairman for 16 years and was a long time member of the Kiwanis Club and the county Historical Society. He also served as director of the Peoples State Bank since 1927 and was president of that bank for many years.

Jeremiah passed away on Nov. 19, 1947, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and was interred in Evergreen Cemetery there. He was 81 years of age.