Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....McDaniel, Wilson ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003 WILSON McDANIEL, a well-known agriculturist and lumber dealer of West Providence township, Bedford County, Pa., was born in this township, January 24, 1830, a son of John and Eliza (Hughes) McDaniel. He is the descendant of a Scotch family that came to America in Colonial times and the grandson of Amos McDaniel, a pioneer settler of Bedford County. A large part of this county his grandfather assisted in surveying. John McDaniel was a lifelong resident of West Providence, where he was engaged in farming pursuits from early manhood until his death, which occurred on December 18, 1847. He married Eliza Hughes, who was born in Monroe township, Bedford County. Of their children three survive, namely: Wilson, the special subject of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Sill, now residing at Everett, Pa., the widow of William Sill, late of St. Clairsville; and George W., in whose sketch, which appears elsewhere in this volume, may be found further ancestral history. Wilson McDaniel, in common with most farmers' sons of his day, attended the district school when it was in session, and at other times assisted in the lighter labors of the farm. Owing to the death of his father when he, the eldest son, was seventeen years old, much of the care of the homestead was thrown upon him. He courageously put his shoulder to the wheel, and from that time until the present has made farming his chief occupation, for a series of years having been also engaged in lumbering, conducting both industries with good pecuniary results. A man of sound sense, practical and progressive, he has filled many important township offices, having been a member of the local School Board several years, a part of the time its president, and on a number of occasions has served as Judge and Inspector of Elections. He is liberal in his religious views and a member of the Christian church. Mr. McDaniel has been twice married. By his first wife, formerly Catherine Williams, of West Providence, he had four daughters, of whom three are now living, namely: Mary, widow of the late George W. Kegg; Minnie, wife of Edward Grove; and Catherine. The other daughter, Eliza Jane, born October 24, 1860, died September 19, 1895. She was the wife of John U. Jackson, and the mother of three children - Carroll (deceased), Roy, and Paul. Mr. Jackson is again married. After the death of his first wife Mr. McDaniel married Miss Alcinda Williams, of East Providence, Pa. They are the parents of four children, as follows: Laura, wife of Harry Lee; Albert; Charles; and Ross. Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa