Anna Neal
Mrs. Anna Neal dedicated her whole life to the promotion of American Patriotism and especially the
remembrance of our Civil War veterans. She was born in North Tonawanda just before the Civil War. In
1877, at age 19, she married the 44-year-old Civil War veteran John Schwartz. From its very start, Anna
was involved with the local branch of the Ladies Relief Corps, an auxiliary of the Civil War Veteran’s
Organization – the G A R. As the Patriotic Instructor of that organization, she visited schools, Boy and
Girl Scout Troops, and other organizations promoting the importance of the American Flag.
In 1894, Anna’s husband John Schwartz was seriously injured when he was struck by a train on Main
Street in Tonawanda. He died a few days later, never regaining consciousness. Two years later Anna
married her neighbor George Neal, becoming Mrs. Anna Neal, a name by which she was well known for
the next 40 years.
In 1931 she convinced the State of New York to deed land along the southern bank of Tonawanda Creek
in Gastown for the creation of a GAR Memorial Park. The park was officially dedicated on Memorial Day
in 1932 with Mrs. Neal as the master of ceremonies. (see movie clip below) A flag pole with a plaque
honoring Mrs. Neal still stands today in the center of the bicycle path as it passes through the site
alongside the canal.
When Mrs. Neal died in 1940, her funeral was held in the GAR Memorial Park, across the street from
160 East Niagara Street, the home where she had lived for over 50 years.
remembrance of our Civil War veterans. She was born in North Tonawanda just before the Civil War. In
1877, at age 19, she married the 44-year-old Civil War veteran John Schwartz. From its very start, Anna
was involved with the local branch of the Ladies Relief Corps, an auxiliary of the Civil War Veteran’s
Organization – the G A R. As the Patriotic Instructor of that organization, she visited schools, Boy and
Girl Scout Troops, and other organizations promoting the importance of the American Flag.
In 1894, Anna’s husband John Schwartz was seriously injured when he was struck by a train on Main
Street in Tonawanda. He died a few days later, never regaining consciousness. Two years later Anna
married her neighbor George Neal, becoming Mrs. Anna Neal, a name by which she was well known for
the next 40 years.
In 1931 she convinced the State of New York to deed land along the southern bank of Tonawanda Creek
in Gastown for the creation of a GAR Memorial Park. The park was officially dedicated on Memorial Day
in 1932 with Mrs. Neal as the master of ceremonies. (see movie clip below) A flag pole with a plaque
honoring Mrs. Neal still stands today in the center of the bicycle path as it passes through the site
alongside the canal.
When Mrs. Neal died in 1940, her funeral was held in the GAR Memorial Park, across the street from
160 East Niagara Street, the home where she had lived for over 50 years.
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