Jairus Edward Neal (18 August 1818 – 3 August 1882) was an American politician. Neal was born on 18 August 1818 in Onondaga County, New York. From the age of 18, he taught at a country school. He settled in West Point, Iowa, in 1839 and later moved to Fort Madison to read law. In 1851, Neal married Catherine Brees. The family settled in Knoxville. Their daughter Emily later married Edward R. Cassatt. From May 1856, Neal was eligible to practice law before the United States District Court of Iowa, headquartered in Burlington.