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Kneil, Thomas R., was born at Westfield, Mass., November 6, 1851, a son of Hon. Thomas and Mary (Bush) Kneil. His father was a native of the Isle of Man, and came to America with his father, William Kneil, settling in Utica, N. Y. Hon. Thomas Kneil moved to Westfield, Mass., and became a prominent man of that place. Thomas R. was educated in the Westfield High School, Wesleyan University of Connecticut, from which he was graduated in 1875, and the Boston University, in which he took a post-graduate course. He then accepted the position of principal of the Beichertown (Mass.) schools, which position he filled for two years, when he became professor of classics and elocution in the academy at Poultney, Vt. In 1880 he became principal of the union school at Crown Point, N. Y., where he remained for five years. He raised the status of this school to a very high standard and perma.. nently established his ability as a scholar, executive and instructor. In 1885 Mr. Kneil entered the field of journalism and took charge of the Ticonderoga Sentinel, which he both published and edited. In 1888 he returned to his old position as principal of the Crown Point Union School, which he conducted with his aforesaid energy and success until 1891, when he came to Saratoga Springs and was principal of the high school until elected superintendent of schools July 1, 1892. Under his régime the schools of Saratoga Springs have risen to an enviable position in the educational system of the State, and are second to none in the Union. In 1898 he was offered an appointment as State institute conductor by Charles R. Skinner, State superintendent of public instruction, but declined. On January 5, 1882, Mr. Kneil married Carrie M., daughter of Rev. C. R. Hawley, and their children are Thomas H. (deceased), Philip C., Margaret M., Robert C. and Caroline.

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