John H. McDaniel. Is a son of Judge R. E. and Delia McDaniel, and was born in Caroline county, Virginia, July 31, 1838. In 1842 his father moved the family to Cooper county, Missouri, and in 1844 to Saline county, where John was raised on a farm. He finished his education in Columbia College, Washington City. Returning home in 1859, he commenced the grocery business in Miami. He soon disposed of his grocery, and early in 1861 volunteered in the M. S. G., and was in all Price’s battles of 1861. In December, 1861, he was third lieutenant in Capt. Ruxton’s company, in Robinson’s recruits, and with all the rest was captured at Blackwater, and imprisoned first in St. Louis, then in the Alton penitentiary. From the penitentiary he escaped in the following manner: Some of his fellow prisoners and messmates had taken the oath of loyalty, and were to be passed out by the guard. Stationing himself near the guard, Mr. McDaniel secretly and deftly abstracted the certificate of one of his friends from his pocket, after the guard had passed him, and after it had been inspected and carelessly stuck in his pocket by the soldier; the then returned to his quarters for a short time, and came down prepared to go. On presenting the stolen certificate, the officer on guard, as soon as he read the name, exclaimed, “you have been here before.” “Yes; but I left some baggage, and returned for it, and thought perhaps you would not recognize me,” said McDaniel. “Pass out this man,” was the order, and John was free. Returning home to Saline he was confined there with sickness for over six weeks. He then struck for Dixie via St. Louis, Cincinnati and Canada, crossing the lines on Chesapeake bay. On the 12th of October, 1863, he was again captured, and taken to St. Louis, where he was recognized by the prison officials. He tried again to escape, but, though he was not caught in the act, had to wear a ball and chain for several months, which came near crippling him for life. From St. Louis he was again transferred to Alton. Soon afterward, the officers of the prison called for volunteers from the prison, to help whitewash some buildings, and putting on a citizen’s coat, and passing the guard in broad daylight, John made his second escape. The war, however was soon over now, and at its close he was made deputy-sheriff of Caddo parish, Louisiana. He returned home, and entered the dry good business, under the firm of McDaniel & Boyer, in which he remained until 1870, when he sold out, and removed to the splendid farm on which he now lives. January 11, 1870, Mr. McDaniel was married to Miss Claire Rucker, of Howard county, Missouri. Children: Rucker S., Noel P., Forest R., and Robert R., living, and one dead.
