DANIEL, NATHAN T. - One of the important features of all Illinois cities is the location there of retired farmers who, after years devoted to the tilling of the soil, have given up active pursuits and are prepared to devote more time to the study of civic conditions. Nathan T. Daniel has made Springfield his home for some years and in earlier years was a well known agriculturist. He was born in Clay County, Ill., November 10, 1847, a son of John and Paulina (Barrah) Daniel, the former born in Clay County, Ill., in 1824, and the latter in Ohio, in 1825. The father was a farmer and spent his life in Clay County, where his death occurred. The paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Mexican War, who located in Clay County, Ill., at a time when that locality was but sparsely settled.

Nathan T. Daniel grew up in Clay County working on a farm, and he has devoted his life to this class of work. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Daniel left Clay County, going to Kansas, where he remained until 1871 when he moved to Indiana. In 1875 he returned to Clay County whence he came to Sangamon County, which has since been his place of residence. Mr. Daniel served under Custer, in Company S, Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry, participating in the battle of Antelope Bluff, in which Chief Black Kettle was killed. In addition, he was a participant in other less important engagements. While a stanch Republican, Mr. Daniel has not taken an active part in public life, but can always be counted upon to give an active support to any enterprise he believes will be beneficial to the community at large. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian.

Mr. Daniel was married in Clay County, Ill., August 20, 1875, to Sarah Davis, born in Ohio, in 1855. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel: Estella, born August 28, 1876; Flora, born in October, 1878; Edward, born April 29, 1880; Elizabeth, born November 7, 1882; Louis E., born in October, 1884; John, born April 2, 1886, and Alma, born August 30, 1892. The family have a pleasant residence at No. 1700 East Maple Street. He is a man of pleasing manner, social in his tastes, and has a number of warm personal friends in Sangamon and Clay Counties. Before his retirement he had owned and developed a fine farm which was one of the best in his neighborhood. His success was due to his industry and thrift, as well as to his knowledge of the best methods of farming.