F. Clarence McNeill started selling Maytag gasoline powered wringer washers in 1931 after the Great Depression forced him, like so many others, out of the grocery business. He operated out of his home, loaded his entire inventory (1 machine), in his truck, and traveled from farm to farm demonstrating his product by doing the family laundry, often swapping out part of the price for produce, cows or pigs. In his preschool years, young Charles frequently accompanied his father, and began learning the appliance business at a very young age. In the years to follow, McNeill set up shop at various locations, starting with a small area inside Sam Fritz's Salvage Trade Store at 229 W. Hickory. About a year later he moved across the street and displayed his wares inside Jack Hodge's Paint Store at 218 W. Hickory. The next location was 329 W. Oak, where First Federal Savings Bank of North Texas stands. In 1935, he moved to 229 W. Oak, and from 1939 to 1943, he operated inside Taliaferro's Hardware Store on the north side of the square at 112 W. Oak.
For the next few years, Maytag Sales and Service was located at 215 N. Locust, where B&O Auto Service now operates. In 1946, McNeill relocated the business to a new building at 123 E. McKinney, where City Hall stands. In 1950, it was back to W. Oak when McNeill moved to 311 W. Oak. In 1957 the business moved once again to 212 E. Hickory where it remained until Charles took over in 1962.
In 1963, Charles and his wife Virginia bought out Ball Furniture Company and moved to 102 N. Locust and changed the name to McNeill Furniture and Appliance. One more move in 1964 took the business to its present location. The company is now known as McNeill's Appliance.
