My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. McDANIEL, a well-to-do farmer of Clay Township, was born in Nelson County, Ky., December 1, 1837, and is the oldest son of John W. and Susan (Anderson) McDaniel, both natives of Kentucky. In 1846 his father removed with the family to Spencer County, Ind., where he bought a farm in Clay Township. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and fought in the battles before Vicksburg, and during a battle at Natchez he was taken sick and died. His body now lies in the National Cemetery at the latter place. John remained at home working on the farm for his father until 1855, when on August 29 he married Sarah Lattimore. He then located on a farm in this county. At the opening of the war he joined Company F, First Indiana Cavalry. He took part in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., and Marks Mills, in the latter of which he was taken prisoner. He was confined in a Confederate prison at Tyler, Texas, where he remained nine months. During his imprisonment a pint of corn meal and a quarter of a pound of beef were allowed as a day’s rations, and twenty men were obliged to cook in a two-gallon kettle and one skillet. Upon being released he returned to his wife and family after an absence of four years. In 1878 he bought the farm on Section 14, Clay Township, where he now lives. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church. They have had eleven children, only six of whom are living.