Source: The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. III pg.268 1923
Author: The History of Florida: Past & Present
DANIEL, WILLIAM JOSEPH. The Daniel family has
been one of prominence in West Florida for many years. The name
is especially associated with banking, and WILLIAM JOSEPH DANIEL of the
present generation is now cashier and active head of The Peoples Bank
of Marianna.
His father was the late WILLIAM J. DANIEL, a native
of Florida, and at one time a member of the State Legislature, and the
State Senate. Many years ago he established a private bank
conducted under his individual name, the first bank in West Florida
between Pensacola and Tallahassee in 1886. Subsequently this was
changed to W. J. Daniel & Company, bankers, and in 1902 he
organized the First National Bank of Marianna and was its president
until his death, January 21, 1906. He married SARAH S. DEKLE,
also a native of Florida, now deceased.
Their son, WILLIAM JOSEPH DANIEL, was born at
Campbellton, Jackson County, December 1, 1876. He was educated in
the public schools in Marianna up to the age of eighteen, and afterward
attended a private school conducted by a Presbyterian minister at
Tallahassee. For nearly thirty years Mr. DANIEL has been
continuously identified with banking, gaining his first experience
under his father. He served as assistant cashier of the First
National Bank of Marianna until 1911. In September, 1912, he with
Judge C. L. WILSON and their associates organized the Peoples Bank of
Marianna, with $35,000 capital. The president is Judge Wilson and
the vice president is Doctor Baltzell, but the active management
devolves upon the cashier, Mr. DANIEL, who is regarded as one of the
keenest financiers in this section of the state, and his
progressiveness has been manifested in many ways for the benefit of the
community. As a banker he had a prominent part in handling the
Liberty Loan sales in the county during the World war. He is a
democrat, a member of the
Episcopal Church and the Knights of Pythias.
June 15, 1905, Mr. DANIEL married ELISE G.
MILTON. Her grandfather was the war Governor Milton. Her
parents were JOHN and CARRIE (RUSS) MILTON, both natives of
Florida. Her father was a merchant, served as county treasurer,
and later retired to his farm. Mr. and Mrs. DANIEL have one son.
WILLIAM JOSEPH, Jr.