Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Elusive George Daniels

George Daniels has been eluding me for years. He is the "end of the line as far as it goes" for the Daniels line. I only have suggestive birthdates and the general birthplace of "England". I am not even sure when he emigrated. I have come across a few things that are interesting.

I have George in the 1880 (very excited to finally find that one), 1870, and 1860 census's with his wife and various children. The 1860 lists him as 26 with a 1 year old daughter suggesting to me that he was married just a few years before that. The next earliest record I have for him is a Land Patent for land in Clay County, Illinois dated 2 Dec 1850 suggesting to me that he would not be found in the census (taken in Aug) in Clay county. I found one possible match in the 1850 census for a George Daniels age 18 born in England living in New York city with a baker and a William Daniels also age 18 born in England. He is the only George Daniels born in England that comes up +/- 5 years from 1828. I will try and look into him further. I then began to wonder why a young single man would choose middle of nowhere Clay county to buy land and settle. I did another census search in Clay county in 1850 for anyone born in England, maybe someone George knew from the home country that he followed out. There was one name that came up that was interesting but just created more questions. There is a John Danels age 10 born in England living with a couple both born in N.C. Why would a 10 year old from England be living with a husband and wife from N.C. with no apparent name connection? I have no clue.

Lots more work to do!

3 comments:

  1. John Daniels is a brother to George.
    His obituary:
    Lewellen Garden County, Nebraska, Thursday, March 30 1922
    John Wesley Daniels
    John Wesley Daniels was born in England, September 22, 1829, died at the home of his daughter Mrs. J.R. Clark near Lewellen March 26, 1922. He came to the U.S. with his parents, he was 2 years old settling in Indiana and removing to Clay county, Illinois growing to young manhood there then going to Peotone, Will county, becoming acquainted with Miss Isabelle Kearney whom he married in June of 1859, to this union was born four daughters, Mable Clark of Lewellen, Etta Clark of Lewellen, Grace Spillman of Julesburg, Colo, Flora Steward of Chappell who passed to the great beyond in 1918. He had 20 grandchildren 18 of whom survive him also 13 great grandchildren and a sister who resides at Xenia, Illinois. Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church in Lewellen, Monday, March 27, conducted by Rev. Philip H. Smith a former pastor, interment was made in Ash Hollow Cemetery.

    [I think he was older when he came to the U.S. It would be hard to mistake a 10 year old for a 20 year old & on the 1850 census it gives his age as 10. G.S. Feb 2006]

    ReplyDelete
  2. Here's a post card that was written to John Daniels [born 1829 to 1840] from his nephew Arthur Daniels (1875).

    Post Cards [letterIL0003]
    Dec 24 1913
    to Mr John Daniels
    Sefatha, Kan
    George King & Mollie are here from Ark. Weare [sic] all well now Edith is hom and getting along fine I'll soon have enough coon skins to make a wner [sic]. coat but I need a horn a long horn
    Arthur Daniels Iuka, IL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Arthur is my great grandfather! I have so many questions. Please send me your contact information. I am going NUTS! I had no idea that George immigrated with family. He is been such a mystery to me. I'm anxious to hear more!

    ReplyDelete