My Genealogy Hound

Andrew J. McDanial, one of the enterprising farmers and saw-mill men of Antioch Township, was born in Arkansas, in 1844. His father, Peter McDanial, was born in camp, while his parents were emigrating from Illinois to this State. He was reared a farmer and hunter, and in early days followed bear-hunting for a livelihood, often killing two or three bear and three or four deer a day. He was married in 1835, to Betsey Bartlett, of Hot Spring County, whose marriage resulted in the birth of eight children: Diana, Jessie, Martha, Andrew, William, Asa and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. McDanial were members of the Baptist Church. The former died in 1879, and his wife in 1860. Andrew J. McDanial, after growing to manhood, married Miss Mary E. Spencer, daughter of Levi Spencer of Garland County, in 1865. They are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living: Sophronia (widow of John Sprorlen), Mary S. (now Mrs. Hill), Andrew J., Alison, Dora, Jessie, William D. and Elizabeth. Mr. McDanial owns 200 acres of land, with seventy-five acres under cultivation, and has a large orchard containing seven acres of land; this includes apples, peaches, pears, plums, etc. In 1885 he built a fine house and also has a large barn and good buildings. The farm is well stocked, and he owns about thirty head of a superior grade of Berkshire hogs. Mrs. McDanial is a native of Arkansas, and was born in 1842. Her parents were natives of Tennessee, her father taking for his wife Miss Eliza A. Monroe. She bore a family of ten children, five of whom are living: Perry L., Mary E., Lottie L., John T. and Rufus M. Emigrating from Tennessee to Arkansas at an early day, Mr. Spencer settled in Montgomery County, where he died in 1875, and his wife in 1862. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Mr. McDanial is a man who freely gives his influence and financial aid to all public enterprises. His education was somewhat limited, but he is giving his children the benefit of good schooling, and training them to become useful members of society. He is a hardworking man, having made all that he now possesses by the sweat of his brow, but is none the less respected on that account. He is a prominent Republican, and with his wife belongs to the church.