Neil O. Churchill

Ryan Dodge/Formerly Corwin Churchill Motors

Neil O. Churchill (1891-1969) was a local entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Neil Churchill was best known for partnering in Samuel Corwin’s existing dealership in 1925 to form Corwin-Churchill Motors, which was one of the first dealerships to offer the Chrysler nameplate and continues as today’s Eide Chrysler. The duo also opened an appliance store in 1935, which operated until 2015. Churchill retired and sold his interest to Corwin in 1952. The Whittey family purchased the Bismarck auto dealership and appliance store in 1958.

Churchill was also involved in creating one of the nation’s first integrated baseball teams in the 1930s – where Satchel Paige once pitched. He purchased the Prince Hotel in 1927 and served as mayor from 1939-1946.