This one is a long shot - on his WWI draft record - nearest relative is Martha Acker of Hancock, MS. There is a John Nealey b. abt 1877 in AL, son of James and Martha Neeley, living in Hancock, MS in 1880. All other children b. in MS. Possibly James died and Martha remarried Acker? Records posted below in case you recognize and of the siblings names and can make a connection. Looks like only 4 of Martha's children survived.
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-25099-15112-30?cc=1968530&wc=M9SL-BTQ:1912699065
John Wesley Neeley
Draft Registration Sept. 12, 1918, St. Tammany Parish, LA
Male Negro Age 41
Birth Date: 27 May 1877 US
Nearest Relative: Martha Acker, Residence: Logtown, Hancock, Miss.
U S Census, 1880 Bay Saint Louis, Hancock, Mississippi
Citing this Record "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4GC-VN1
Self James Neely M 45 TN
Wife Martha Neely F 35 MS
Dau Mary Neely F 13 MS
Dau Henrietta Neely F 5 MS
Son John Neely M 3 AL
Dau Martha Neely F 0 MS
U S Census, 1900 ED 23 Beat 1 Pearlington Precinct, Hancock, MS
Citing this Record "United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M96P-QTZ
Head James Nealy M 60 Dec 1840 TN marriage 1bt 1863
Wife Martha Nealy F 56 Oct 1844 MS 12 children 4 living
Dau Hesther A Nealy F 18 MS
Dau Esther R Nealy F 16 MS
Son Levy A Nealy M 13 MS
Granddau Dora Sanders F 6 LA
