Toensing, History of Houston County, 1882; the St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 10, 1877; and the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1875 list his last name as McNelly. The Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1876 lists both McNelly and McNelley.
He came to the United States in 1848. He lived in Norwich, Connecticut. He moved to Minnesota in the spring of 1855 or 1856.
"Mr. McNelly has been a staunch Republican of long standing." (Biographical Sketches of the Officers of the State Government of Minnesota and of the 19th Minnesota State Legislature by C.L. Hall, 1877, p. 18)
He was listed as a Republican on the list of members posted after the 1877 election. ("The Next Legislature." St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 10, 1877)
Religion provided by Biographical Sketches of the Officers of the State Government of Minnesota and of the 19th Minnesota State Legislature by C.L. Hall, 1877.