Keith Neville

Morell Keith Neville (February 25, 1884 – December 4, 1959) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Nebraska. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 18th Governor of Nebraska.

Keith Neville
18th Governor of Nebraska
In office
January 4, 1917 – January 9, 1919
LieutenantEdgar Howard
Preceded byJohn H. Morehead
Succeeded bySamuel R. McKelvie
Personal details
Born(1884-02-25)February 25, 1884
North Platte, Nebraska
DiedDecember 4, 1959(1959-12-04) (aged 75)
North Platte, Nebraska
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Mary Virginia Neill
ProfessionBanker

Neville was born in North Platte, Nebraska, the son of William Neville,[1] and attended St. John's Academy. In 1905, he graduated from St. John's College (Annapolis/Santa Fe) in Annapolis, Maryland,[2] where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He returned to manage the family ranch and served as the director of the First National Bank in North Platte.[3] He married Mary Virginia Neill on October 21, 1908,[4] and they had four children.

Career

Nicknamed the "Boy Governor" for his youth,[5] 32 years of age, Neville was elected in 1916[6] as governor of Nebraska, serving from 1917 to 1919. During his tenure a rigorous liquor law was sanctioned and World War I issues were dealt with.

In 1918 Neville was defeated for re-election as governor by Republican Samuel R. McKelvie and returned to North Platte, where he continued to be active in banking and ranching as well as politics. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Nebraska in 1920, 1932 and 1956. He was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Nebraska in 1954, but lost to Republican Congressman Carl Curtis.[7] For seventeen years, Neville also was coach of the North Platte High School football team.[8]

Death and legacy

Neville died December 4, 1959 and is interred at North Platte Cemetery in North Platte. He was a member of the Freemasons, the Elks, the Moose, the Odd Fellows, and Phi Sigma Kappa, as well as a member of the Episcopal Church.

The Nebraska State Historical Society holds papers relating to Neville's administration.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Nebraska State Census, 1885", FamilySearch, retrieved March 3, 2018
  2. Keith Neville. The Encyclopedia of Nebraska. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  3. "Keith Neville". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  4. "Keith Neville". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  5. "Ex-Governor Neville of Nebraska, 75," New York Times, December 5, 1959.
  6. "Keith Neville" (PDF). Nebraska History. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  7. GOP Leads in Nebraska, New York Times, November 3, 1954
  8. "Ex-Governor Neville of Nebraska, 75," New York Times, December 5, 1959
  9. "Governor Neville" (PDF). History Nebraska.


Party political offices
Preceded by
John H. Morehead		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Nebraska
1916, 1918		 Succeeded by
John H. Morehead
Preceded by
William H. Meier		 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator (Class 2)
from Nebraska
1954		 Succeeded by
Robert B. Conrad
Political offices
Preceded by
John H. Morehead		 Governor of Nebraska
1917–1919		 Succeeded by
Samuel R. McKelvie
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