McDaniel, Henry D. (Henry Dickerson), 1836-1926

Henry Dickerson McDaniel (1836-1926) was born in Monroe, Georgia. He was a lawyer and a member of the state secession convention in 1861. He served in the Civil War, attaining rank of Major in the 11th Regt. of Georgia Infantry. McDaniel also served in the state legislature in both houses from 1872-1882, became governor in 1883 finishing the term of Alexander H. Stephens, and was re-elected fro the term 1884-1886. After leaving office he resumed his law practice and was also engaged in various business activities.

From the description of Henry Dickerson McDaniel letter, 1894. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 99997574

Because of personal qualifications, education, and his experience in business, law, and politics, Henry McDaniel was often asked to serve on or to chair one board or another. His involvement with railroads dates at least from 1879 when he worked to form the Railroad Commission, but it is likely that he invested in them far earlier. Despite his graduation from Mercer University, it was the University of of Georgia at Athens where McDaniel served on the Board of Trustees for nearly 40 years. When all other business had ceased in his public life, this last interest remained. His son, Sanders McDaniel, was a graduate.

From the description of Henry Dickerson McDaniel directorship records, 1870-1926 (bulk 1873-1904). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 122517525

Henry McDaniel, born Sept. 4, 1836, at Monroe, Walton Co., GA, graduated from Mercer University in 1856, was admitted to the Georgia bar the next year, and practiced with his uncle, Dickerson Holliday Walker, in Monroe. He served in the 11th Georgia Infantry Regiment during the Civil War until, as Major, he was wounded and captured in July 1863 and eventually sent to Johnson's Island Prison.

Released in July 1865, he married Hester Felker of Monroe, GA, on Dec. 20. Henry continued his legal career and was elected to the Constitutional Convention of 1865 but was not able to hold other elected office until the Amnesty Act of 1872.

He served in the Georgia House of Representatives and, beginning in 1874, in the Senate before being elected governor in 1883. During his administration he chaired the Capitol Building Commission that built the new capitol. In 1879 McDaniel, together with Judge William M. Reese, Samuel Barnett, and Robert Toombs, authored an act creating the Railroad Commission. Throughout his career he was involved with the railways, working as governor to make agreements financially beneficial to the state and in private life serving as a director of the Georgia Railroad Banking Company, the Georgia Railroad Bank (Augusta, GA), and the Monroe Railroad Company.

For the last 30 years of his life McDaniel was a trustee and then chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Georgia at Athens under Chancellors Walter B. Hill and David C. Barrow, Jr. Henry McDaniel died at his home in Monroe on July 25, 1926.

From the description of Henry Dickerson McDaniel family and business papers, 1822-1947 (bulk 1870-1924). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 122463637

Henry and Hester Felker McDaniel had a long married life, over 60 years, and a long courtship before it. While practicing law in Monroe, Henry met Hester, daughter of Stephen Felker (1799-1887) and Malinda Harben (1817-1898), his second wife. Stephen, the father of 15 children, arrived in Walton County in 1824 from South Carolina. He was a contractor, woodcarver, cabinetmaker, plantation owner, and private banker. Like most Southerners, his business seemed to suffer after the Civil War, and Henry was legally involved with the estate until well after the deaths of both his in-laws. Ironically, Stephen Felker had not originally approved of McDaniel as a suitor for his daughter.

The Civil War delayed Hester and Henry's marriage even longer. He entered the war as a First Lieutenant in 1861, was appointed Quartermaster, and rose to Captain and then Major in 1862. On July 10, 1863, he was critically wounded at Funkstown, MD, and captured two days later when Confederate forces were forced to retreat. Left to recuperate in Maryland before being sent to Johnson's Island Prison in Ohio, Henry may well have survived the war by being out of the rest of the battles and miseries of camp life. With the help of cousin Emma Brent in Baltimore and other friends in Maryland he managed to continue his correspondence with Hester and his family until his release, July 25, 1865.

Henry and Hester were married Dec. 20, 1865, and continued to live in Monroe, surrounded by friends and relatives. Their son Sanders (1867-1934) graduated from the University of Georgia and practiced law in Atlanta, marrying in 1895. Gipsy (1868-1939), their daughter, was educated at the Atlanta Female Institute and married Edgar S. Tichenor (1859-1933), a Mercer University professor, in 1896. Edgar became secretary of the Walton Cotton Mill, of which Henry was director, in 1900, allowing the Tichenors to live in Monroe also. They had two children, Hester McDaniel and Henry McDaniel Tichenor (1900-1965), the latter who continued as an officer in the Walton Cotton Mill after completing his education at Virginia Military Institute and the University of Georgia.

From the description of Henry Dickerson McDaniel family papers, 1838-1947 (bulk 1861-1926). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 145567951