Santa
Clara County
Biographies
COL.
JOSIAH JENNINGS MCDANIEL
Honored and respected for his
many sterling qualities, Col. Josiah J. McDaniel holds a conspicuous position
among the valued citizens of San Jose. Active, keen-sighted and possessing
great business tact and ability, he has been fortunate in his undertakings, and
by dint of industry and wise management has acquired a handsome competency, and
is now living retired from the activities of life. A son of the late Charles
McDaniel, he was born September 12, 1837, in Ohio county, Ky., near Rockport.
His paternal grandfather, George McDaniel, was born in old Virginia, the
descendant of one of the earlier Scotch settlers of that state, and became a
pioneer of Kentucky, where he took up land, from which he improved a farm.
A native of old Virginia, Charles
McDaniel removed with his parents to Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of
his life, dying at the age of seventy-three years. He succeeded to the
occupation of his ancestors, and settled in Ohio county
as a tiller of the soil. He was an active participant in the Seminole Indian
war. A man of upright character, he was ever interested in the advancement of
the educational and moral welfare of his community, and was a faithful member
of the Baptist Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Marian Robertson, was a
lifelong resident of Kentucky, her father, who was of English descent, removing
there from Virginia.
The only survivor of a family
consisting of one daughter and three sons, Josiah Jennings McDaniel spent his
early years on the home farm, gaining his first knowledge of books in the
district school, and subsequently completing his education at Rutherford
College, in Davenport, Va. On returning from college he traveled extensively,
visiting the principal cities of the northern, eastern and middle
western states. In April, 1861, Mr. McDaniel enlisted in the Second
Missouri Confederate Volunteer Infantry, and, through the influence of United
States Senator J. T. Green, was commissioned first lieutenant of his company.
Under Col. Martin E. Green, he took part in the engagements at Wilson Creek, at
Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern, where he was promoted to the rank of captain, and
then at Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh. In that battle he received a pistol wound
in the neck and a saber cut in the leg. After recovering from his injuries he
was promoted, being commissioned lieutenant colonel of his regiment, and took
an active part in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga and Missionary
Ridge, after which Colonel McDaniel was sent westward with his regiment, and
served in Arkansas and Missouri until the close of the war.
In the spring of 1865, Colonel
McDaniel, with twelve comrades, went on horseback to Denver, Colo., and from
there to Guaymas, in the state of Sonora, Mexico,
intending to found a colony, but finding the country in the midst of a
revolution the party returned to Denver. Going thence to Virginia, Mont.,
Colonel McDaniel took with him a load of merchandise, and after disposing of
his goods engaged in mining in that locality. He subsequently located at a
point about five miles above the present city of Helena, and was there
successfully employed in placer mining for awhile, after which he became
interested in the construction of a ditch, which did not prove as successful as
had been anticipated. Going then to the present site of the city of Deer Lodge,
he carried on placer mining a short time, and then took a trip up the Caribou river. In 1871 Colonel McDaniel located in San Jose, Cal.,
and the following five years was engaged in business as a dry goods merchant,
his store being on the corner of Santa Clara and Market streets. In 1876 he
bought his present home estate of four acres, and set out an orchard of prunes
and apricots, also putting in an irrigating plant, which he equipped with
gasoline engines. Resuming the carpenter’s trade, which he had learned when a
boy, the colonel carried on an extensive business as a contractor and builder
for nearly a score of years, erecting many residences in the city and vicinity.
Retiring from active pursuits in 1894, he has since devoted his attention to
his own private interests.
Colonel McDaniel married, in San
Jose, Amanda W. Fine, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Morgan Fine, and
a sister of Dr. Fine, of Oakland, Cal. Mr. Fine crossed the plains with his
family in 1849, and settled in Santa Clara county, where he was a pioneer
farmer. Of the marriage of Colonel and Mrs. McDaniel three children have been
born, namely: E. J. and W. A., engaged in mining in Nome, Alaska; and Lulu Lee,
living at home. An earnest and influential Democrat in his political
affiliations, Colonel McDaniel was his party’s candidate in 1876, for the state
legislature, but was defeated, and for two terms he served as a member of the
board of trustees of the Hester school district. He is very prominent in the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past noble grand of his lodge, a past
officer of the Grand Lodge; past chief patriarch of the Encampment; and past
captain of the Canton. He is past master workman in the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. He is a very active member of the Christian Church, being president of
its official board and of its board of trustees, and has served as a delegate
to the annual meeting.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1411-1412. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2017 Cecelia M. Setty.