Neill McDonald was born around 1838 in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to John and Janette McDonald. His father was a farmer and carpenter who owned $4,000 of real estate and $8,582 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Cumberland County, and by 1860, he was attending college.
He enlisted in the Confederate army on June 17, 1862, and he mustered in as a private in Company A of the 5th North Carolina Cavalry two days later. The regiment took part in the Battle of Brandy Station and the Overland Campaign. Union forces captured him on April 30, 1863, in Bertie County, North Carolina, and he spent the next month as a prisoner of war. He was eventually exchanged, and he rejoined the regiment. He remained in the army until at least August 1864.
After the war, he returned to his parents’ household in Rockfish, North Carolina. By 1870, he was working as a farmer. He married Mary B. McFadgen on April 4, 1872, and their daughter Mary was born around 1878. He died on May 8, 1888.