(By Joe Williams) 

Dan Daniels was born December 20, 1856 in Brigham, Utah, a son of Thomas Daniels and Mary Davis Daniels, who were both from Wales. Mrs. Mary Daniels died April 15, 1866. Later Thomas Daniels married Jeanette Dives. 

Dan Daniels attended school in Brigham at the County Courthouse under William Wakins. Later he attended school in the first schoolhouse built in Malad. It was a log building located where the City Hall now stands. His teacher was Richard G. Evans. As he got older he wanted a better education, so with 20 other friends they hired R. G. Evans as a teacher. A log building of the Reorganized church was rented. 

The Daniels family moved to this valley in April, 1865. There were only four families here when they arrived. There was only one road, the one which the mail route used, which passed up Bannock Street and out through St. John. There were only four small log houses. Mr. Daniels lived in a one room log house with a dirt floor and roof. Their neighbors were R. G. Evans and the Richard Jones’ family. The only recreation they had was dancing occasionally. 

Mr. Daniles’ occupations were farming and stock raising. He was the first man to take up land in Daniels. Idaho and built the first house in 1877. He also freighted from Utah to Montana for B. F. White. Later he operated an outfit of his own. While freighting for B. F. White a trip was made from the Salt Works inWyoming to Boise. On the way back from Boise instead of going to Kelton they cut off at Albion and went East down the Oregon Trail, crossed Raft River to the Sublet Canyon, continued through the canyon to the Twin Springs rock house. From there they went East to Ireland Canyon and to Pleasant View. This was the first trip made through Ireland Canyon with wagons. In the company there were 54 head of cattle and 9 wagons. Mr. Daniels suggested a state highway be built from Holbrook through Sublet Canyon. This would shorten the distance about 40 to 50 miles to Boise. 

While freighting Mr. Daniels had many interesting experiences with the Indians. One trip on his way to Montana, he met three Indians. They were coming on their horses on a dead run, all painted up and were on the war path. They were armed with rifles and one was waving a woman’s scalp from the end of a long stick. Luck was with him for they passed right on. 

One summer while the Nez Perce Indians were on the war path he was camped at Hole in the Rock and the Nez Perce were camped just 15 miles west on Medicine Lodge Creek. The freighters were talking that night about what they would do if the Indians should come. One man, thinking he would try them out, slipped out of camp and fired a shot over the campfire. The men all ran for their guns. One shouted that he knew where the shot came from. This frightened the man who was playing the joke and he shouted “Don’t shoot it is only me.” 

Mr. Daniels married Mary Evans Jones in Malad, March 20, 1883. A wedding dance was held at the Courthouse. This was the first event that was held in the new Courthouse. This dance was held for Mr. and Mrs. Daniels and Mr. and Mrs. Jedd Jones who had a double wedding. Mrs. Mary Daniels died the following year. 

In 1885 he married Cathrine E. Owens. Mr. Daniels is the father of 12 children, 30 living grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. The children are Dan Daniels, LeRoy Daniels, Luther Daniels, Russel Daniels, Mrs. Steve Stayner and Margaret Daniels of Malad, Mrs. D. L. Bush, Boise, Mrs. T. G. Hone, Ogden, Mrs. Arnold Thomas, Los Angeles, Mrs. Thomas Williams, Mrs. Ned Tovey and Fern Daniels have died. 

Mr. Daniels has played an important part in the progress of this community, being president for the Malad Irrigation Company for 6 years. When the Malad Creamery was organized in 1918 he was made president and still holds that position. He served as high council in Malad Stake and has been active in church affairs since early youth. He has been County Commissioner of Oneida County and was mayor of Malad for 6 years. 

Mr. Daniels has seen three buildings on the first ward corner and has helped build all three school buildings. 

The people that influenced Mr. Daniels’ life most were R. G. Evans, Grandfather; Bishop Dan Daniels and his father and stepmother.  

Mr. Daniels outstanding accomplishment during his life was establishing the system for measuring water for the Malad Valley Irrigation Company. There never was an accurate plan for measuring the water until then. 

The most outstanding events that happened during his life were the World War and the flu epidemic of 1918 and 1919. 

Mr. Daniels’ advice to the young people of today is “Be honest and specialize in some occupation.”