William B. McDaniel, M. D. The experience of Doctor McDaniel as a physician and surgeon covers almost a quarter of a century. Twenty years ago he came to Oklahoma and practiced in several different localities, but since 1908 has been well established in his profession at Byars, and in point of service is now the oldest physician and surgeon of that town.

He represents an old colonial family. The McDaniels, Scotch-Irish people, on coming to America located in South Carolina. Doctor McDaniel’s grandfather was Britain McDaniel, who was born in North Carolina in 1784. He reached a remarkable age, passing away at Kennedy, Alabama, in 1883, at the age of ninety-nine. He was one of the early settlers at Kennedy, Alabama, and followed the occupation of farmer and stock raiser.

It was at Kennedy, Alabama, that Dr. William B. McDaniel was born December 6, 1868. His father, B. V. McDaniel, was born in the same place, June 10, 1839, and died at Kingsville, Alabama, April 18, 1898. Practically all his native career was spent as a farmer and stock man near Kingsville. He was a Confederate soldier during the war, and from exposure contracted a disease which impaired his vitality the rest of his life and eventually resulted in his death when only thirty-six

years of age. He was a democrat, an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. B. V. McDaniel married Nancy Guin, who was born near Kennedy, Alabama, November 18, 1844, and died at Kingsville, January 1, 1891. A brief record of their children is: A. J. McDaniel, a farmer at Kingsville, Alabama; G. G. and Dr. William B., twins, the former a farmer at Kingsville; J. B., a teacher at Paris, Texas; M. V., a druggist at Big Cabin, Oklahoma; and Abbie, wife of John Duke, a farmer near Kingsville.

While Doctor McDaniel had the advantages of a good comfortable home during his youth, he had to depend upon his own exertions to promote him into a learned profession. The first twenty years of his life were spent on his father’s farm, and his education came from the public schools at Kennedy. For six months after leaving home he clerked in the store of S. E. Ware & Company. He took two courses during the years 1891-92 in the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, and in the following year began practice at Kingsville, Alabama. During 1894-95 he was a student in the Birmingham Medical College of Alabama. He practiced at Reuben and for one year at Lubbub, Alabama, and in 1895 he removed to Oklahoma. His first location was at Baum, where he remained until 1899, and during the following year his home was at Zena. In 1900 Doctor McDaniel entered the Barnes Medical College at St. Louis, where he graduated M. D. April 12, 1901.

Being thus especially equipped by practical training and experience for increased efficiency as a physician and surgeon he resumed practice in 1901 at Big Cabin. Oklahoma. From there in 1908 he removed to Rosedale, but in a short time located at Byars. He is now the oldest physician in point of continuous residence in that town. His offices are in the State Bank Building.

Besides his private practice Doctor McDaniel is local surgeon for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads, and is examining surgeon for the following insurance companies: New York Mutual, New York Life, Bankers, Missouri State Life, Kansas City Life, Northwestern Mutual of Milwaukee and the Equitable Life. He is also a member of the Garvin County Medical Society.

In politics Doctor McDaniel is a democrat, is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and is affiliated with Byars Lodge No. 261, A. F. & A. M. and with the Woodmen of the World.

At Vinita, Oklahoma, in 1899 he married Miss Tommie L. Norris. Her father was the late Tom Norris, an Alabama farmer. Doctor and Mrs. McDaniel have a line family of seven children: Alta, now in the eighth grade of the public schools of Byars; Claudius, also in the eighth grade; John, in the fifth grade: Madge, in the fifth grade; Leo and Lando, twins, both in the second grade; and Wykoff, who has not yet reached school age.