Henry Dickerson McDaniel was a lawyer, Confederate soldier, governor of Georgia, and industrialist.
Background
Henry Dickerson McDaniel was born on September 4, 1836 in Monroe, Georgia, at the home of his mother's parents. His father, Ira Oliver McDaniel, a native South Carolinian of Virginian ancestry, had come to Georgia as an instructor at Mercer University, then located at Penfield, in Green County, and had married Rebecca J. Walker, member of an important Georgia family. About 1850 the McDaniels removed to Atlanta, at that time a small town at the meeting point of three principal railway systems of the state. There Ira McDaniel became a merchant and a leading citizen.
Education
After passing through the schools of Atlanta, Henry enrolled as a student in Mercer University, which by that time had been removed to Macon. After his graduation, in 1856, he settled in Monroe and began the practice of law.
Career
Henry was the youngest member of the secession convention of 1861. Though opposing secession, when hostilities began he joined the army as a lieutenant and during the next two years was promoted to major. He commanded Anderson's brigade on the third day at Gettysburg, and on the retreat through Maryland was wounded and captured. He was sent to a military hospital for five months, and from December 1863 to July 28, 1865, was imprisoned on Johnson's Island, Lake Erie. On the close of the war he returned to Monroe, resumed his law practice, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1865. During the next seven years he was prevented by political disability from taking any overt part in the political life of the state, but there is reason to believe that he wielded large influence in a quiet way.
On the passage of the General Amnesty Act he was elected to the lower house of the General Assembly (1872) and became acting chairman of the finance committee, which at that time included the ways and means and appropriations committees. In 1874 he became a member of the state Senate, and was twice reelected. In that body he was chairman of the finance committee and of the judiciary committee. On the death of Gov. Alexander H. Stephens (1883), McDaniel was chosen governor to fill the unexpired term and was reelected in 1884. In this office he displayed financial ability of a high order and managed the affairs of Georgia with conspicuous success. The state bonded debt was reduced by a million dollars, and the tax rate was lower than at any time since 1865. McDaniel was much interested in railroads. He was the author of the act of 1874, providing for the taxation of railroads in the same manner as other property, and was co-author of the act of 1879 creating the state railroad commission. For forty years he was a director of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company. A memorial presented to the board on the occasion of his death attributed the success of the corporation largely to his wise leadership. He was also director of several other banking and railroad corporations, and of manufacturing enterprises. Always noted for his sound judgment in business matters, through careful management and wise investment he amassed a considerable fortune. Not the least of McDaniel's public services were those rendered during his thirty-eight years as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Georgia. He died at his home in Monroe.
Achievements
For twenty-four years McDaniel was chairman of the board. To the management of university affairs he brought the same ability that had characterized his public and business career, and it was during his chairmanship of the board that the modern expansion of the university began.
Politics
Bitterly opposed to the reconstruction policies and to the control of the state government by those who furthered them, he labored indefatigably for the restoration of home rule and for the material rehabilitation of Georgia.
Connections
On December 20, 1865, he married Hester C. Felker, daughter of Stephen Felker, of Monroe, Ga. , by whom he had two children.
